Deepak won’t assist Bala’s SD probe yet, says Bar chief

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Feb 4, 2013

(The Malaysian Insider) – Carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan has declined to help the Bar Council investigate a possible professional misconduct in a murder trial witness’ sworn statement despite making the allegation, says its president Lim Chee Wee.

Despite the lack of witnesses, Lim said the council has issued letters to several people to help its queries but he did not name those asked to explain their role in private detective P. Balasubramaniam second statutory declaration (SD) over the 2006 murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Balasubramaniam later repudiated the second SD.

“It is unfortunate that despite our request for assistance, Deepak Jaikishan has decided not to assist in the enquiries until after March 16, 2013 and that no one has stepped forward to assist us by disclosing the relevant facts regarding this issue,” Lim (picture)wrote in an email toThe Malaysian Insider.

When contacted over the phone, Lim said that Deepak had said “he only wants to deal with the new Bar Council president” who will come into office this March 16.

Lim also confirmed in the same phone conversation that the Bar Council had in the course of making enquiries asked a senior lawyer, believed to be Tan Sri Cecil Abraham who has been alleged to be involved in the drafting of the SD, “to explain” his role in the matter.

In the email, Lim said: “The Bar Council has started making the necessary enquiries by issuing various letters to relevant persons whom we believe would have knowledge of facts and seeking their explanation/assistance.

“Such explanation/assistance would assist us to determine whether there is any prima facie evidence of professional misconduct surrounding the preparation of the Second SD.”

Lim said the council would lodge a complaint to the disciplinary board (DB) — the ultimate adjudicating body for complaints against lawyers — if prima facie evidence of misconduct is found.

“Of course, there is nothing to stop anyone else equally concerned with this matter to lodge a complaint to the DB.”