All cops involved in Durian Tunggal shooting to testify at inquest

The three men shot dead in Durian Tunggal, Melaka last November will all testify at an inquest into their deaths, according to Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar. The police intend to file an application within the next two days to schedule the inquest proceedings. The Attorney-General’s Chambers ordered the inquest on July 20 to ascertain the cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths, including whether any criminal elements were involved.

The victims, M Puspanathan, 21, T Poovaneswaran, 24, and G Logeswaran, 29, were killed on November 24 after allegedly attacking a police officer with a parang. Initially, the case was classified as attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code, but was later reclassified as murder in December. Despite four resubmissions of the investigation papers, police received additional instructions each time.

The families' lawyers have criticized the necessity of the inquest, asserting that it would only be warranted if there was substantial doubt or insufficient evidence regarding the cause of death. They claim the case has damning audio evidence proving the victims were captured alive by police before being executed, challenging the police's self-defense claim.

Additionally, post-mortem reports reportedly indicate execution-style killings based on bullet trajectories.