The family of a Sri Lankan national shot dead by Malaysian police have produced proof to dispute the authorities’ claim about his immigration and criminal records.
- Proof that Sri Lankan national entered Malaysia on Aug 23, that he lives and works in the UK
- Allegedly was in the UK for the last six years, so could not have been involved in a crime here in 2016
- Family demands footage from dashboard camera of police vehicles
- Cops to seek an inquest
Forty-year-old V Janarthanan was one of the three men killed in a Sept 14 shooting which took place in Batu Arang, Rawang.
Selangor police told the media that he had been killed in pursuit as part of a home robbery gang.
They said Janarthanan had also been involved in a robbery in Sentul back in 2016.
The police also cast aspersions on the family’s claim that the UK permanent resident had only recently arrived in the country, saying their checks had found no record of his arrival at any Malaysian entry point.
At a press conference today, Janarthanan’s teenage son P Logitharan said his father had been working as a manager in a supermarket in Portsmouth, the UK for the whole of 2016.
He said therefore, it was impossible for his father to have committed any crime in Malaysia as Janarthanan was in the UK at the time.
Logitharan, 17, also showed his father’s flight details to the media which revealed the travel itinerary of Janarthanan as well as the whole family.
The itinerary showed that they departed from London’s Gatwick Airport on Aug 26 this year and arrived at KLIA the next day on Qatar Airways flight QR852.
He also displayed a baggage tag bearing Janarthanan’s name, flight number and flight details which showed he was slated to fly back to London on Sept 23.
“How can police claim that there was no evidence of him entering Malaysia?
“The last time we came to Malaysia was in 2013 and we had not visited the country until last August. How can my father be involved in a robbery case in Malaysia which took place in 2016, as he has been in Portsmouth, UK for the last six years?” he said.
Logitharan also provided tax bills from the Portsmouth City Council, which was billed under the name of Janarthanan.
“Police have been quick in proving my father was guilty of criminal activities. Why have they failed to detect my mother?
“My mother went out with my father, uncle and his friend. The three men were shot dead, but what happened to my mother?” Logitharan asked.
In light of these documents, the family’s lawyer P Uthayakumar accused the police of “tampering” with immigration records.
“Now, the Selangor police chief (Noor Azam Jamaludin) and CID chief (Adnan Azizon) are liars. Have they tampered with (the records)?
“Who erased the immigration records? Who erased it?” he asked.
Logitharan’s mother G Moganambal was also said to be involved in the shooting incident. She is now missing.
Also present were Janarthanan’s mother, N Thanalakshmi and stepfather T Navaratnaraja, who arrived in Malaysia from Switzerland where they are permanent residents.
Speaking in Sri Lankan Tamil, Thanalakshmi was inconsolable as she mourned for her son.
“We were so scared to come to Malaysia. My son comes from a decent family and now he is suddenly labelled as a criminal.
“I usually can’t sleep without first talking to my son. I do not know how to face life after this,” she said through her tears.
Navaratnaraja was upset that his stepson had not only been shot dead but was now being misrepresented as a felon.
Navaratnarajah, who had raised Janarthanan since he was three years old, said the deceased was a good son and a loving father.
“The last time I met him was in June when I had spent three weeks with his family in the UK,” he said.
“I know my son is innocent. They came here for a vacation but now my three grandchildren have become orphans.”
Navaratnarajah said the family was well-off and Janarthanan worked as a manager in a UK supermarket.
“He has no need to come to Malaysia to rob,” he said.
“On top of killing him, they have labelled him a robber. Don’t tarnish the name of the dead.”
According to Selangor police, Janarthanan and two other men were involved in an armed robbery incident and were all killed during an exchange of fire.
Police said that they found two guns, three machetes and face masks in their vehicle.
The family today stood by their counterclaim that the three men and Moganambal had gone out for dinner in Serdang before they were “kidnapped” and shot by the police in Rawang.
They have demanded police to reveal footage from the dashboard cameras of their vehicles to set the record straight as to what happened.
Another lawyer of Janarthanan’s family, M Manoharan, urged Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to put an end to incidents of police “playing God” and shooting suspected criminals.
Meanwhile, Hamid said the police will seek an inquest into the shooting of the three men following contradictory statements from various parties over the incident.
Hamid said the inquest should be carried out quickly as there have been all sorts of statements and accusations being bandied around.
The IGP, however, expressed confidence that his men acted accordingly and that the standard operating policy (SOP) when discharging firearms was strictly adhered to.
Related reports:
Sept 19, Police Confirm Two Killed in Rawang Shootout Were 08 Triad Members
Sept 18, Shootout Puzzle: No Record of Fatally Shot Man Entering Country
Sept 18, Police Deny Involvement of Fourth Individual in Rawang Shootout Incident
Sept 17, Family: What Really Happened in Rawang Shootout?