Malaysian Indian youth, who killed mother, found dead in prison

A Malaysian Indian youth, who killed his mother, was found dead in his prison cell. His family has cast doubts on the police version that he committed suicide.

J. Saravanan, 22, charged with killing his mother and stuffing her in a bag under the sink, was found dead in his Ayer Molek prison cell Sunday, the police said.

He was found hanging from a rope made from a pillow cover tied to a bar of his cell door, Star Online, web site of The Star newspaper reported Monday.

His body has been sent to hospital for post-mortem examination.

Family members claimed they were informed of his death at about 11.30 p.m. Sunday and have demanded an explanation from the authorities.

The incident took place in Johor state.

Johor deputy police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said that the police had received a report that Saravanan was found dead and that he had allegedly hung himself.

Saravanan was charged with murdering K. Malilla, 47, using an iron rod at their home in Kampung MIC in Ulu Tiram.

He had also allegedly stuffed his mother's body inside a travel bag after the incident between 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. Oct 5.

Saravanan's uncle K. Chandran, 42, said that the family was not satisfied with the police explanation that Saravanan had committed suicide.

"I was told that a prison warden, who was just beginning his shift, found him hanging in his cell and sent him to the hospital.

"However, he was pronounced dead upon arrival," he said.

Johor state Human Rights Party chief Y. Mohan said that the Saravanan's family would also hire their own doctor to conduct examination on the body.

Last updated on Nov 16^th, 2009 at 15:28 pm IST--IANS