Malaysiakini reported that A Ganapathy breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Selayang Hospital about 10.55pm on Sunday.
"The cause of his death is yet to be ascertained," the deceased's elder sister A Thangamalar, 41, was quoted telling the news portal, adding that the post-mortem is expected to take place today.
It was previously reported that Ganapathy, who sells cow's milk for a living, was detained on Feb 24 by the Gombak police to facilitate investigations into a case involving his brother, who is wanted by the police.
The family had alleged that Ganapathy, despite suffering from diabetes and heart conditions, was in a fairly healthy condition prior to his detention, but his health took a turn for the worse after being taken under custody.
On March 8, the family was informed that he had been freed of any charges, but was admitted to the hospital. His mother S Thanaletchumy further claimed that when she went to see him, he told her that he was beaten by the police with rubber pipes, and the alleged abuse ultimately cost him one of his legs.
In addition, he also caught a kidney-related condition, the 60-year-old had alleged in a police report lodged on March 11.
Ganapathy leaves behind a wife and two children, aged seven and five.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Gombak police chief ACP Arifai Taraew said that they will carry out a thorough investigation into the matter, and are currently awaiting the post-mortem report.
Meanwhile, the deceased's family lawyer K Ganesh urged the officer in charge of the police station involved to resign in connection with the custodial death, and urged the case to be investigated as murder.
Source: Malaysiakini
Photo source: Malaysiakini & thewire.in