In welcoming the court’s verdict, Eliminating Deaths & Abuse in Custody Together (EDICT) said the decision would set a precedent for custodial deaths in the future.

It also hoped the amount paid would serve as a lesson to both the police and government to not ignore detainees’ health.

“But we would like to ask what will the police’s next step be in view of the Federal Court’s decision?

“Will they take action against their personnel who were involved in Chandran Perumal’s death?,” it asked in a statement.

Yesterday, the apex court awarded P Chandran’s widow, Selvi Narayan, and daughter Rita, RM200,000 in aggravated damages and RM127,000 in other claims.

They will be paid the full amount, inclusive of 5% interest.

In January 2017, then High Court Judge S Nantha Balan held the police liable for the death of Chandran at the Dang Wangi police lock-up after his medical needs were not attended to.

He awarded RM200,000 in exemplary damages, RM144,000 for dependency claim, RM10,000 for bereavement and RM3,500 in special damages for funeral expenses to the family. Another RM50,000 was awarded as costs.

The Court of Appeal affirmed that police were liable for the death and the damages as pleaded.