KUALA LUMPUR: Another police officer detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 for allegedly having connections to 'Geng Nicky' leader Nicky Liow Soon Hee has been freed on police bail.
Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo who represented senior investigating officer Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Baldev Singh Gurdial Singh, when contacted, said the latter was released from police custody yesterday.
"He (Baldev) was released yesterday. The court has fixed May 11 (for further case management)," he said when contacted today.
Following his release, the police officer will withdraw his application for a writ of habeas corpus (unlawful detention).
This was confirmed by federal counsel Muhamad Safuan Azhar who appeared for the respondents named in the application namely Superindentant Amran Mohd Justin (investigating officer) and the Inspector-General of Police.
Safwan when contacted said the matter has been fixed on May 11 for case management before High Court judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan.
He said the date was fixed by deputy registrar Catherine Nicholas when the matter came up for case management today.
"Baldev as the applicant will withdraw the habeas corpus application in relation to his detention and the court has fixed May 11 for case management regarding the matter," he said.
In his application filed on April 30 for his immediate release, Baldev, 36, said his detention was unlawful and was not made in accordance with the procedures.
He claimed that he was arrested on April 26 and detained for investigations under Section 130V of the Penal Code (being a member of an organised criminal group) read together with Sosma.
He said to his knowledge he had not been involved in any cases under Section 130V and his arrest was made beyond the scope of the Section or any provision under Sosma.
On Monday, Rahmat Fitri Abdullah, an assistant superintendent of Police who was arrested under the Act for similar reasons, was released.
He then withdrew his application for a writ of habeas corpus at the Shah Alam High Court.
Judge Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman who presided over the matter struck out the application as the matter is now academic.
It was reported that a total of 12 enforcement officers suspected of having links with the Nicky Gang organised crime syndicate were arrested during the recent Ops Pelican 3.0.
Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said all the officers arrested were between 36 and 49 years old, with two of them from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
On April 9, 14 people, including four Chinese nationals, were charged at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court with being members of an organised crime group "Geng Nicky" but no plea was recorded from them.
Businessman Nicky Liow, 33, is suspected to be involved in various offences including money laundering and is still on the run.