S Pathmawathy
Malaysiakini
Jan 9, 10
10:45am
The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) will file a formal charge against forensics expert Dr Abdul Karim Tajudin of Hospital Serdang who conducted the first post-mortem on deceased police detainee A Kugan.
Lawyer N Surendran, who is representing Kugan's family, told Malaysiakini that the MMC held an inquiry yesterday and cross-examined the deceased's mother M Indra (left) on the complaint against Abdul Karim for professional misconduct.

"They felt that there was substance in the complaint and decided to file a formal charge against him," he said.

The complaint was lodged March last year urging for an independent investigation to probe why there were significant differences in the first and second post-mortem procedures conducted on Kugan.

Indra also lodged a police report against Serdang Hospital and the pathologist after the results of the second post-mortem revealed that Kugan had died from kidney failure due to severe beating.

Abdul Karim had attributed Kugan's death to fluid accumulation in the lungs.

The family, who suspected foul play due to the bruises on the deceased's body, commissioned a second post-mortem, which was carried out by by Dr Prashant N Samberkar of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

'Attempt to cover up?'

Surendran said MMC's preliminary investigations committee, headed by Dr Megat Buhainuddin Abdul Rahman, is expected to file the charges soon.

"The inquiry committee took evidence and cross-examined all those involved and came to the decision after having considered all evidence," he added.

According to Surendran (right), the issue has now taken a more serious turn as there could have been an attempt to cover-up the real cause of Kugan's death.

Speaking on the behalf Indra, Surendran said that she is happy with the committee's findings and decision.

If found guilty, Abdul Karim's practising license could be suspended or revoked.

Kugan had died on Jan 20 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya, five days after he was arrested in connection with the theft of luxury cars.