a Malaysia for Malaysians

NST

KUALA LUMPUR: An inquest is being held this morning on the controversial death two years ago of K. Sujatha, a local actress allegedly linked with the son of MIC chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Although she died in hospital four days after “drinking” weedkiller, many have questioned the circumstances surrounding her death and the cropping up of Vell Paari’s name in the matter.

Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam also lodged several police reports alleging foul play in the death of Sujatha, who was personal secretary to Vell Paari when he was managing director of Maika Holdings.

Her death on June 25, 2007, at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang raised questions as to why she was taken there from her luxury condominium in Jalan Ipoh and not to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, which is minutes away.

It remains a mystery as to why Sujatha, who had everything going for her apparently committed suicide.

Police initially classified the case as sudden death but later said there were criminal elements linked to the case.

Barely two months after the death of Sujatha, who was also a singer, police recorded a statement from Vell Paari.

However, no one has been charged in the matter.

Vell Paari, in his first public statement after the incident, denied any involvement in her death, claiming that such allegations were made by several unscrupulous politicians and some Tamil dailies.

Sujatha had also acted in several Tamil dramas, movies and commercials.

Her last acting stint was in the Malay movie, Noorhalizah, and a local Tamil movie, Yantra, in which she played a supporting role.

Vell Paari denied rumours that he was romantically involved with Sujatha for a long time and that she had pressed him to marry her.

The businessman is married to popular singer Shaila Nair.

It was widely speculated that Sujatha had revealed on her deathbed the events that led to her death.

In August 2007, an English daily had reported that Sujatha had called her uncle, a businessman, two days before she was admitted to the hospital, sounding worried and allegedly telling him that people were trying to harm her.

Her death had also led to a defamation suit being filed by former Sentul OCPD, ACP K. Kumaran, against Manikavasa gam, Makkal Osai editor M. Rajintheram, the daily and its distributor in relation to a news report on the death of the actress, which allegedly defamed him.

Besides the RM10 million suit, Kumaran is also seeking damages for “tort of conspiracy” and aggravated and exemplary damages.

In his statement of claim, Kumaran alleged that the published article had caused serious damage to his credibility.

Manickavasagam failed in both his attempts to strike out the suit when the High Court dismissed his application with cost.

It is learnt that Manikavasagam had also asked the Bar Council to hold a watching brief during the inquest.