High Court judge VT Singham retires

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Jun 29, 2013

(Bernama) – On Wednesday, Singham awarded more than RM800,000 in damages to a housewife whose son, A. Kugan, died in police custody in January 2009.

High Court judge Datuk VT Singham, who is highly respected by his colleagues for his dedication and commitment in upholding impartiality of the judiciary system, retired on his 65th birthday yesterday.

News of his retirement caught many in the legal fraternity by surprise as even his staff admitted that they were in the dark when asked by journalists on Singham’s decision to opt for optional retirement.

A senior staff, who declined to be named, described Singham as a private person who wanted a very low-key departure from his office.

Asked whether his judgment on Wednesday in the case of A. Kugan had any bearing on his decision to retire, the staff said: “Knowing him (Singham), I doubt that the case has got anything to do with his move.”

On Wednesday, Singham awarded more than RM800,000 in damages to a housewife whose son, A. Kugan, died in police custody in January 2009.

In his judgment, Singham ruled that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (then Selangor police chief) was liable of misfeasance in public office.