Durian Tunggal police shootout: Lawyer questions police’s deafening silence, inaction

The deafening silence and inaction of the police was questioned by a lawyer who is representing the families of three victims in the Durian Tunggal, Melaka police shootout case.

“The case has not been classified under section 302 for murder,” said Rajesh Nagarajan.

“We demand that all the shooters are suspended, investigated and charged in court for murder.

“The police special task force (STF) has not updated us at all.”

The three victims – Puspanathan Murulitharan, 21; Poonesvaran Tiagarajan, 24; and Logeswaran Georgie, 29 – were killed on November 24

He also pointed out the lack of transparency despite the call for a transparent probe by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Who are the members of the STF? We don’t know who heads it also.”

He reiterated the fact that all three victims were in police custody before they were shot.

Rajesh also questioned the inaction on the part of Bukit Aman CID director, Commissioner Datuk M Kumar.

“Why hasn’t Kumar classify this case under section 302? Has he failed in his duty? Is he under pressure?”

The case is currently classified under section 307 for attempted murder.

Rajesh spoke to the press before accompanying the victims’ families to handover the original recording of the victim which was done on a hand phone.

The recording revealed that the three were in police custody before they were shot in cold blood.

The youngest of the three did not even have a police record.

Section 302 of the Penal Code criminalises murder.

Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran who was also present at the press conference meanwhile called for the Independent Police Conduct Commission to be amended so that it can conduct criminal investigations.

Kulasegaran is also deputy law and institutional reforms minister.

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