KUALA LUMPUR: The officer investigating the death of K. Sujatha told the Coroner Court Friday, he did not know why the actress drank paraquat, a type of weedkiller.

ASP Zulkifeli Pajar told the inquest that investigation revealed that Sujatha, 28, who died after drinking the weedkiller did it without the involvement of others.

Asked by Deputy Public Prosecutor Geethan Ram Vincent whether he suspected criminal elements in Sujatha's death, the police officer said there was none.

Zulkifeli said he went to a condominium unit in Jalan Ipoh where Sujatha used to stay with brother K. Surenthiran three weeks after her death but did not find paraquat bottle at the premise.

"Surenthiran told me he threw away the bottle when cleaning up the room."

He told Coroner Mohd Faizi Che Abu that other than taking photographs, he also took three swabs, a photograph of Maika Holdings Chief Executive Officer S. Vell Paari and wife and two diaries belonging to Sujatha.

The three swabs were sent to the Chemical Department to be analysed and that tests showed that there were no signs of weedkiller as the room might have been swept clean.

Zulkifeli said Sujatha's other brother K. Ugenthiran was taken to a hardware shop in Ipoh where the weedkiller was bought but the shopowner did not recognise him but admitted he sold the same type of weedkiller.

The inquest was ordered after Sujatha's death at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang on June 25, 2007, six days after her admission, believed after drinking the weedkiller.

Zulkifeli also told the court that Sujatha had a health problem and often sought treatment for ovarian cyst at Damai Service Hospital.

Cross-examined by lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran for Paari, Zulkifeli said Sujatha's last medical treatment was one week before she was said to have taken poison.

Coroner Mohd Faizi fixed Aug 25 for further explanation and conclusion on the inquest proceedings.
(Bernama)