Court dismisses plea for release of Hindraf leader

The petition was filed for the release of one of the five ethnic Indian activists, detained for protesting against alleged marginalistaion of the community in Malaysia.

A Malaysian court has summarily dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed for the release of one of the five ethnic Indian activists detained under a draconian security law for protesting against alleged marginalistaion of the community.

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The application for M Manoharan, a lawyer belonging to Hindu Rights Action Front leaders (Hindraf) which is spearheading protests by ethnic Indians, was rejected by the Ipoh High Court judge on the grounds that the copy of the detention order had not been certified.

Opposition party DAP chairman Karpal Singh, who filed the plea, told reporters that he will file fresh petitions for Manoharan, 46, and another detainee, V Ganabathirau, 34, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court shortly.

The five ethnic Indian activists are being held at a detention camp in Kamunting in northern Malaysia, about 200 kms from Kuala Lumpur, under the Internal Security Act, which allows authorities to hold people without trial for a minimum period of two years.

"This does not comply with provisions of the Rules of the High Court. As such, the application is struck out," Justice Datuk Muhamad Ideres Muhamad Rapee said in the court packed with family members and opposition party members while police maintained tight security in the area.

The habeas corpus application was filed last Friday and was fixed for mention before Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim on Wednesday.

However, Karpal Singh said, he was informed on Monday that the case had been assigned for mention before Muhamad Ideres.