PDRM logo police lockup death Benedict Thanilas
Gambar hiasan

By Kasthuri Jeevendran

KUALA LUMPUR – The family of police detainee, Benedict Thanilas who passed away four years ago at the Jinjang police lockup will be receiving a compensation amounting to RM281,300.

The High Court ordered the police and the Government of Malaysia to pay the compensation to the wife and daughter of the late Benedict, Janagi and B Angeline, in a lawsuit against his death under the Jinjang police custody on 10 July 2017.

Judicial Commissioner Quay Chew Soon delivered the verdict that the two plaintiffs have managed to prove their suit against the defendants.

Janagi and Angeline have sued the police and government for negligence, causing the death of the victim.

The family of the victim claimed that Benedict was not given the access to his medicines and medical treatment during his detention.

Media reported that 25 defendants were named in the lawsuit and 23 of them include members of the police force, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the government of Malaysia.

On 11 September last year, the Coroner’s Court ruled that the victim’s death could be prevented if medical assistance was given at the right time.

The court then ordered the Attorney-General’s Chamber and the IGP to take necessary follow up actions under the Criminal Procedures Code and the Federal Constitution on the members of the force for negligence.

Benedict, 43, passed away in police detention after being arrested over suspicion of drug distribution on 29 June 2017. -MalaysiaGazette