Govt agencies to probe Dharmendran's death following EAIC findings

PUTRAJAYA: Several government agencies will look into the custodial death of N. Dharmendran after an Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) revealed the victim was brutally tortured by the police.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the agencies should look at the legal aspects before bringing the suspects to face the music.
"I have received the report from the director of the Prisons Department and from the EAIC and we will conduct an investigation with the cooperation of the Prisons Department, Health Ministry and the police force to see what aspects of the case warrant legal action against those involved," Zahid told a press conference after chairing the National Disaster Management Committee high level meeting at the Prime Minister's Office here.
Zahid, who is also the Home Minister added that there was no need to amend the Penal Code or the Evidence Act 1950, as suggested by the EAIC, as existing laws were sufficient to pin down police officers who committed such deadly interrogations.
He added there have been previous cases where the police responsible for injuring a detainee were held responsible for their actions using the existing laws.
"That is already in existence and I think internal as well as legal action has been carried out previously and it is not impossible for the existing laws to be applied," Zahid said.