PUTRAJAYA: A former policeman who beat up A. Kugan, who later died in custody, will himself now be placed behind bars.
The Court of Appeal today upheld V. Navindran's three-year jail sentence for causing hurt to Kugan while under police custody in January 2009.
The three-man panel lead by Court of Appeal president Justice Md Raus Sharif dismissed Navindran's appeal, ruling that there had been no appealable errors made by the lower courts in coming to its decision.
The panel, which also included Justices Balia Yusof Wahi and Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, unanimously agreed not to change the three-year prison sentence.
"We are of the view the sentence passed by the High Couty was not manifestly excessive," said Justice Md Raus.
Though Navindran, 35, maintained his composure, several family members who attended the proceedings appeared disappointed that he was being jailed.
Navindran was represented by S. Ramesh, while DPP Lailawati Ali appeared for the prosecution.
In 2009, Navindran claimed trial to causing hurt to Kugan at the interrogation room of the Taipan police station in USJ, Subang Jaya.
Kugan, from Puchong, was arrested on Jan 14, 2009, to help in investigations into a luxury car theft syndicate.
He died six days later.
On June 11, 2012, the Shah Alam Sessions Court found Navindran guilty of two counts of causing hurt to Kugan and sentenced him to three years in jail for each count, to run concurrently.
The ex-policeman's attempt appeal against his conviction was thrown out by the High Court there on April 18, 2014.
The civil case by Kugan's family against Navindran, the police force and the Government for the death of Kugan is still pending at the Federal Court.
The Government is appealing against the Court of Appeal's decision to find the police and Government liable for the death.
The Court of Appeal had on Aug 8, last year also ordered that Kugan's family be paid RM701,700 in damages.
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