S. KASTHURIBAI, the mother of a teenager killed by a chair flung from an upper floor of a low-cost housing block two years ago, is demanding RM1 million in compensation from Kuala Lumpur City Hall for her loss.

In a letter of demand sent to City Hall by Messrs Raj & Sach on October 26, she is claiming the local authority failed in its responsibility to ensure cleanliness and safety in the public area of the Seri Pantai people’s housing project flats in Pantai Dalam, which eventually caused the death of her son, S. Sathiswaran, then 15.

“We have been instructed by our client to demand a claim of RM1 million for the death of her son, which was due to City Hall’s negligence.

“Based on existing evidence and documents, we found that the chair was in the corridor on the 21st floor, block 102 for about a month before it was thrown on January 15, 2018,” the letter read.

Sathiswaran was killed instantly in the incident and while police have since reclassified the case as murder, the family remain clueless as to who caused his death.

The letter of demand stated that Kasthuribai would sue City Hall if it fails to pay the compensation within seven days from the date of the letter.

Arun Doraisamy, who leads the Indira Gandhi Action Team, has now formed the Sathiswaran Action Team in seeking justice for Kasthuribai.

Arun told The Malaysian Insight the action against DBKL would only ensure such negligence does not recur.

“We want attention to be given to the safety of people in these flats. Not just Seri Pantai but all low-cost flats.

“There are many such cases in these flats. City Hall must act to ensure safety measures are put in place.

“We do not need another Sathiswaran-like incident to happen,” he said.

Kasthuribai told The Malaysian Insight she was glad the firm agreed to take up the case on a pro bono basis.

“I hope we will finally get our justice. It has been a long wait and there have been no updates from any party until now,” she said. – November 1, 2020.