Cops Missed Chance To Show They Care In Saroja Devi S Case Says Mp

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Saroja Devi Krishnan had to spend a night in the Taiping police lock-up despite her daughter posting bail. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Klang MP Charles Santiago has castigated the Taiping police chief over his explanation of the decision to lock up single mother Saroja Devi Krishnan after her daughter had posted bail.
“It’s pathetic,” he said in reference to Osman Mamat’s statement that she had to be in the lock-up because her bailor had failed to obtain a release letter from the court.
He said this was an opportunity for the police to show they were there to help the poor and uninformed and they could have told the bailor to go through the proper process to get her mother released.
Speaking to FMT, Santiago commended magistrate Adibah Kadir for ensuring Saroja Devi was released the following day although it was a Saturday, saving her from spending another two nights in the lock-up.
Charles SantiagoSantiago said it was the police who should have won this praise.
“Here is a poor cook who is struggling to bring up her seven children,” he said. “Instead of making sure she could go back to earning a living, they just dumped her into the lock-up on a Friday, knowing very well she would have to spend three nights there.
“The officer handling her should have been caring enough to ensure her bailor obtained the proper documents.
“Police missed a great opportunity to live up to their motto that they are one with the community. Instead, they have shown their ugly side.”
Last Friday, Saroja Devi was handcuffed and taken to the police station despite settling her RM500 bail on time. She had to spend the night in the lock-up
This was after the magistrate had fined her RM2,000 after she pleaded guilty to negligence under Section 289 of the Penal Code, resulting in a dog under her control attacking and injuring a neighbour.
Osman Mamat.However, she appealed for a lower fine and the magistrate fixed RM500 as bail pending the hearing of the appeal on Oct 25.
Osman said her daughter, who paid the bail online, should have produced the payment slip at the court counter to get a release letter signed by the magistrate, bailor and accused.
Santiago said the episode showed how authorities tended to treat the downtrodden in contrast to the special treatment they would give to others.
“She was unnecessarily handcuffed and taken to the police station immediately after the case,” he said.
“Under normal practice, she would have been kept in the court lock-up until bail is settled and the paperwork is done.
“I don’t know what the rush was about.” - FMT

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