Police officer helped 'Casanova' and his family to meet

GEORGE TOWN: The senior female police officer accused of releasing a "Casanova" detainee, yesterday testified that she remembers one occasion where the family of the accused came from Kuala Lumpur and had asked her for help to see the accused for a while.
ASP L. Chandkumary, 58, said she allowed the family of the accused to meet him in her office at George Town court.
"His family asked for help and spoke to him in my office and after that I sent him back to the lock-up," she said.
Chandkumary, who has more than 30 years experience in the police force, is accused of releasing K. Prabaharan, 47, who was being remanded for alleged fraud, at George Town Court Complex at 1.50pm on Oct 9, 2013.
The charge under Section 225A(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries a three-year imprisonment term or a fine or both, upon conviction.
On the second charge, Chandkumary allegedly made a false report at the Northeast District Police Station at 8.05pm on Oct 9, 2013.
She faces a maximum six months' jail or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both if convicted, under Section 182 of the Penal Code.
She was replying during a cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Charanjit Singh.
Charanjit then asked Chandkumary if there is any provision or law to allow a detainee into the office, to which she replied that she is bound to her duty as a public servant to help the public.
"I did it to help his family. As a public servant it is my duty to help them," she said.
Chandkumary however agreed with Charanjit that there is no provision under the law to allow detainees to speak to their family while in police custody.
Chandkumary was represented by counsel Danny C. Navarednam.
Magistrate Magistrate Dianne Ningrad Nor Azhar fixed July 13 and 14 for hearing to continue.