Lawyer T Harpal Singh, representing 15 of the 32 detainees, told FMT that his clients gave their testimonies during case management today before a court registrar.

“All my clients provided oral testimony detailing how they were beaten, which body parts were injured, and who the perpetrators were.

“The court recorded all testimonies and subsequently ordered immediate medical treatment,” he said, adding that 25 detainees were believed to have been assaulted by prison authorities.

Harpal said the court also advised the inmates to file police reports to pave the way for a formal investigation.

Fellow lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan however said he doubted that the inmates would be taken to a police station to lodge reports, suggesting that prison authorities might be reluctant to facilitate complaints against their own personnel.

He said the detainees had testified to being stomped on, kicked, punched, and repeatedly struck with a baton on various parts of their bodies.

“This is absolutely ridiculous, shocking, and horrifying. In a civilised country, detainees should not be beaten simply for going on a hunger strike. There must be an inquiry, and heads must roll,” he said.

The court scheduled another case management on April 17, with tentative trial dates set for Oct 15 to 30, Nov 2 to 6, and Nov 9 to 22 next year.

The inmates staged a hunger strike earlier this month to protest against their detention, which allegedly led to the assault by prison officers in an attempt to end the strike.

The family members of several inmates staged a similar hunger strike outside Sungai Buloh prison in a show of solidarity and to protest the rejection of their visitation applications.