Gopal Krisnan Rajalinggam, 21, died yesterday after he was placed on life support for the past two days at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, with his family claiming he was seen with bruises on his arms and head.

Gopal had also told visiting family members while under remand that he was abused by the prison wardens at the Sungai Petani Prison. He had been remanded after claiming trial for possession of cannabis in Penang in May.

Speaking to FMT, Kuala Muda district police chief Adzly Abu Shah said Gopal’s post-mortem had revealed that he had died due to an infection of his heart valves.

Adzly said the post-mortem on Gopal’s body also found no visible external injuries.

“As for claims that his arms were bruised, it is likely due to the use of handcuffs. One of the arms was also used to administer saline drips,” he said.

“As for the swelling on the head, as claimed by the family, doctors found no such problem with him,” he said.

Adzly said based on the post-mortem, there was no foul play in Gopal’s death.

However, since the family has complained of poor treatment by the prison, police would speak to wardens and fellow inmates tomorrow.

“We will be sending a senior police officer to speak to his inmates on claims of abuse. I would like to call on all to be calm and not to speculate or make claims without evidence,” he said.

Adzly said the case had been classified as sudden death.

Gopal’s fiancee, Tan Sze Lin, 20, had lodged a report at the Kuala Muda district police headquarters yesterday.

In her report, she said Gopal was arrested on May 12 for drug possession. On June 4, when she and Gopal’s mother visited him in prison, Gopal claimed that he had been assaulted by prison wardens.

“Gopal was crying when he told us that he was hit on the head. He had also told the wardens that he was feverish and was throwing up.

“The wardens then told Gopal to roll on a tarred road as they did not believe he was ill,” the report read.