EAIC findings warrants action not ignorance, says Steven Thiru

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar Council today reiterated that the ongoing criminal proceedings where four police officers were alleged to have caused the death of N. Dharmendran who was in their custody, should not be an excuse to ignore calls for action to be taken against the police.
Last week, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's said it was subjudice for the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) to investigate the case.
Bar Council President Steven Thiru said the IGP's reaction to the EAIC was most disappointing.
"We are all aware that under the provisions of the EAIC act, it allows for the commission to carry on with an investigation, irrespective of whether there is a court case or not," he said.
The EAIC had recently released a damning report which outlined the gruesome details that caused Dharmendrans "violent" death.
It also suggested that charges be brought against some police officers who allegedly fabricated evidence and changed lock-up diaries.
"An ongoing criminal trial is not an excuse not to proceed with disciplinary action," he said at the round table discussion on promoting greater police accountability in the country.
Dharmendran died while in custody at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters' Serious Crimes Division (D9) on May 21, 2013.