Ganapathy S Death Cops Summon Two Malaysiakini Journalists For Statements

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Police today called two Malaysiakini journalists to give their statements over three articles published by the news portal relating to the death of A Ganapathy, 40, who died while being treated in hospital after being arrested by the police in February.
Malaysiakini sub-editors Rusnizam Mahat and Aedi Asri Abdullah arrived at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 11am together with lawyer Kee Hui Yee from the law firm Kanesalingam & Co.
Malaysiakini reporter B Nantha Kumar was also called to assist in the investigation but was unable to attend as he is under Covid-19 quarantine.
Evidence was taken by Inspector Shahrir Mohamad and Inspector Mohd Nasir Abu Hasan from the Bukit Aman Classified Crime Investigation Unit for about an hour.
It is understood that the case is being investigated under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code over the "spread of rumours that can cause fear and alarm to the public, which could induce a person to commit an offence against the state or to public peace".
The three articles are titled 'Lawyer: Post-mortem shows Ganapathy (above) died of severe injuries to leg, shoulder', 'MIC demands independent investigation into Ganapathy's death' and 'Victim allegedly beaten by police died after more than a month in ICU'.

Malaysiakini sub-editors Rusnizam Mahat and Aedi Asri Abdullah, with lawyer Kee Hui Yee at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
Malaysiakini also understands that the police report was lodged by an investigating officer who is handling the investigation into Ganapathy's death.
On March 11, the mother of the deceased, S Thanaletchumy, 60, lodged a report at the Gombak district police headquarters regarding the allegation that her son was beaten while in custody.
According to the report seen by Malaysiakini, Thanaletchumy said her son was arrested on Feb 24 to assist in the investigation into his brother, who is wanted by the police.
She claimed to have been contacted by a policeman on March 8, who informed her that her son had been released and treated at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Selayang Hospital.
Ganapathy died at the hospital on April 18.
On April 30, Gombak district police chief Arifai Tarawe said at a press conference that the initial investigation found that Ganapathy had never complained of being beaten by the police, either to the magistrate or the medical officer who treated him.
However, Arifai said, the investigation was still going on and investigation papers would be sent to the deputy public prosecutor's office. - Mkini

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