KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): The post-mortem report on the body of N. Dharmendran, who died in police custody three months ago, is not complete.

At the case mention of the three police officers charged with murder over his death today, the High Court was told the prosecution team has not received the post-mortem report.

Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Nithia said the prosecution team has already received the toxicology report on June 27 which has been submitted to the pathologist on July 3.

While the DNA report from tests conducted on the shirt and trousers of the deceased was received on July 3, she said.

Justice Nur Aminahtul Mardian Md Nor has provided a three-week time frame for the completion of the post-mortem report, satisfying the demands of both the prosecution and defence teams.

Nithia had earlier pleaded the court to allow a month's time frame for the completion of the report to be presented in court.

However, lawyer Datuk Hazman Ahmad, who is representing accused Jaffri Jaafar, called for the court to provide a shorter period of two weeks for the completion of the report.

"The charges were made a month ago. It is a high-profile case and of public interest," he told the court. "It is not an acceptable excuse," he added.

Investigating Officer (IO) ASP Chang Chee Fong said a post mortem report usually requires between one and two months to be completed.

Nur Aminahtul then set Aug 2 for the mention of the post mortem report in court to "be fair to the accused persons, prosecution and the IO."

The report is being prepared by Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL).

The three police officers - Jaffri, 44, Mohd Nahar Abd Rahman, 45, and Mohd Haswadi Zamri Sahari, 32 - were charged with murder of Dharmendran on June 5 under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

The fourth accused was not disclosed.

Section 302 carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Dharmendran was reportedly arrested on May 11 after a shooting incident occurred in Bandar Tun Razak. He died on May 21 while in police custody.

The police had initially alleged that Dharmendran had collapsed after complaining of chest pains.

However, an autopsy report prepared by HKL pathologist Dr Siew Sheue Feng, made public on June 1, posited that Dharmendran had died due to "diffuse soft tissue injuries due to multiple blunt force trauma."

On May 29, four policemen who were on duty when Dharmendran died were assigned to desk duties pending the outcome of investigations.