Last directive was to release detainee, court told

KUALA LUMPUR: Lock-up detainee N Dhamendran, 31, may be alive today had the investigation officer (IO) followed the instruction given to release him after a DNA test was done in May last year.
The High Court here was told today that the last directive given to the police officers in charge that day was to take Dhamendran to hospital for a DNA test and release him.
"My last instruction was to take the suspect (Dhamendran) to hospital for his DNA test and release him. The suspect was taken in for a murder attempt. His remand period was over and he was supposed to be released that day," head of the police serious crime division of the KL police contingent, Superintendent Yahya Abd Rahman, testified today.
He said this in the trial of four policemen who have been charged with Dhamendran's murder – Sergeant Jaffri Jaafar, 44, Corporal Mohd Nahar Abd Rahman, 45, Corporal Mohd Haswadi Zamri Shaari, 32, and Inspector Hare Krishnan Subramaniam.
Yahya said he met the IO, ASP Mohamed Sazif Mohamed Subri, and discussed Dhamendran's case but, could not release him immediately due to some incomplete procedures.
After meeting Sazif, he said at about 11.45am he had to leave for a "more important Customs case" in Putrajaya and was informed of Dhamendran's death after he returned from the case.
When deputy public prosecutor Suhaimi Ibrahim asked if he had given any instruction to Sazif to extend Dhamnedran's remand, Yahya said he did not.
On May 21, 2013, Dhamendran was found dead in the lock-up at the city police headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah, 10 days after he was arrested for an alleged offence involving the use of firearms.
Police initially claimed that the victim died of breathing difficulties, but a post-mortem revealed he suffered 52 injuries.
Trial before judge Kamardin Hashim continues tomorrow.