“Poca is for hardcore criminals. My son hasn’t been charged in any court so why are they detaining my son under Poca? It is too heavy.
“The IGP must answer to me. I’m already 67-years old, my time is getting near and I want my son to be released as soon as possible,” he said, alluding to the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.
Ramakrishnan said this to reporters outside the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters this morning after joining human rights group Suaram in handing over a memorandum to over Sanjeevan’s detention to the police.
He also believes there were “sinister forces” behind Sanjeevan’s arrest over his anti-crime stance and also described it as a form of selective persecution.
“I believe he has leaked information about wrongdoings committed by the police and this is why they took revenge on him.
“They want to tarnish his name, so they arrested him under Poca.”
On July 10, Sanjeevan was detained under Poca, barely a month after he claimed that authorities would nab him under the law.
Ramakrishnan also labeled the arrests as ridiculous, pointing out that “When you catch a person, you have to charge him in court.
“So why didn’t they (police) charge him? You detained him for 18 days, then on the 19th day, you put him under Poca.”
Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy, who handed over the memorandum to Bukit Aman’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Arshad Mat, demanded the IGP to intervene on Sanjeevan’s detention.
“Detention without trial is a serious violation of human rights.
“Sanjeevan should have been charged in court and allow the court to decide whether he is innocent or guilty.
“In this case, the police is acting as though they are the judge and they have undermined the court procedures. This is clearly against natural justice.”
Sevan also demanded the immediate release of Sanjeevan with no additional arrests by the police, emphasising that he should be charged in court according to standard procedures.
It was previously reported that Sanjeevan was facing 14 other charges, including falsifying documents, cheating, defamation and money laundering.
He was also probed for offences related to the Immigration Act and under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001.
Under Poca, suspected criminals can be detained without trial for up to two years.