NST
IPOH, Aug 13 — Champion jockey Jai Shankar Thanggaraju, who escaped serious injury following an assault at the Perak Turf Club on Wednesday, has now found himself behind bars for attempted murder.
His lawyer, Nahtan Krishnan told Malay Mail police opened two investigation papers following the 9am incident, which also saw Jai’s brother Munusamy, Singapore horse owner K. Riya Vharshienee sustaining injuries and turf club general manager Soo Lai Kwok traumatised. A security guard was also injured in the incident.
Jai’s brother was admitted to the KPJ Medical Centre while the Singaporean sought outpatient treatment.
Nahtan said one investigation paper was on the alleged assault and another for attempted murder after his client allegedly knocked into a security guard at the Turf Club as he was getting away from his attackers.
“He was speeding out of the Turf Club car park area heading towards the police station,” said Nahtan.
The security guard, who is Malaysian, identified only as Eddie, was taken to Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital where he was admitted for observation.
“He (Jai) was arrested at the police station, and police obtained a five-day remand order until Monday. The case is being investigated for attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code,” he said.
The assault, which took place after morning track work, took punters and track watchers by surprise as the incident drew many onlookers.
Acknowledging that he was present when the assault took place, Soo said he tried to separate those involved but was manhandled and restrained.
“At this moment, it’s not appropriate for me to comment as I am a witness to the incident and my statement would be sought by police.”
Soo was traumatised by the incident and took Thursday off to recuperate at home.
“The Turf Club committee has been briefed on what took place as this was the first attack on a jockey in recent years,” Soo added.
While speculation remains rife over what triggered the incident, track watchers disclosed a feud had been simmering for sometime now between local jockeys and foreigners based at the Turf Club.
The 45-year-old Jai, who was champion local jockey last year and in 2014, was scheduled to be engaged for several rides at the Ipoh races today. However, when declarations as to whether a jockey had a ride closed on Thursday, his name was not nominated.
Riya said those who pounced on them damaged Jai’s car as he was leaving the car park, shattering the driver’s side window and rear windscreen. This resulted in her sustaining injuries from the shards.
With four horses at the Turf Club stables here and another at the stables in Penang, Riya said she travelled regularly on the racing circuit.
“I received a phone call that Jai was attacked at the car park and when I arrived there with some friends, I saw he had been surrounded.
“We jumped into his car and went to the police station with some of the assailants in pursuit.
“After lodging a report, we were advised to seek medical treatment. But the attackers turned up at the hospital and threatened Jai against lodging a report.”
When they returned to the Sungai Sinam police station to have their statements recorded, Jai was detained.
“I find this odd because at that moment, only Jai was arrested and none of the attackers.”
Jockey Association adviser Ram Derayan said the association has instructed their lawyer to look into the matter and represent Jai.
