Damages of RM184k awarded to woman whose son died in police custody

GEORGE TOWN: The family of Cheah Chin Lee, who died in police custody on Aug 13, 2012, won their negligence suit against the federal government, the police and Rela.
Penang High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Abdul Wahab Mohamed awarded the family RM184,000 with 5% interest in damages after finding all the defendants were liable for the death of Chin at the lock-up in the Tanjung Tokong police station.
The family named the federal government, the then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, former Rela director-general Datuk Mustafa Ibrahim and 14 other Rela members and policemen as defendants.
"The police should ensure the safety of detainees during custody from the time of arrest," Abdul Wahab said in his judgement.
Cheah's mother Lim Gaik Suan,71 and his sister Cheah Saw Imm, 51, were awarded RM114,000 in dependency claims, RM20,000 in exemplary damages, RM15,000 as funeral expenses and RM35,000 as court proceeding fees.
They were both represented by M. Visvanathan and Chan Yen Hui while Senior Federal Counsel Rahazlan Affandi Abdul Rahim acted for the defendants.
Cheah was arrested at midnight on Aug 12, 2012 for allegedly trying to steal a motorcycle.
He was brought to the Tanjong Tokong police station where his body was found at 5.30am.