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In response to media enquiries concerning the death of Madam Pang Chor-ying whose skeleton was discovered in 1999 in a flat in Yau Ma Tei, a spokesman for the Department of Justice said today (November 11) that the Secretary for Justice had decided to apply to the Court of First Instance under section 20 of the Coroners Ordinance (Cap. 504) for an order that an inquest be held in respect of the case.
"In coming to the decision, the Secretary for Justice has considered all police reports, witness statements, relevant legislation and the reasons of the Coroner," the spokesman said.
"The Secretary for Justice considers that it would be in the public interest for the death of Ms Pang to be investigated by the Coroner, and that the appropriate vehicle for achieving this is an inquest."
"However, as a Coroner has decided not to hold an inquest, it is considered that the most appropriate course of action at this stage is to invite the Court of First Instance to direct that an inquest be held," the spokesman said.
Section 20 enables an application to be made to the Court of First Instance by either a properly interested person (such as the next of kin of the deceased) or the Secretary for an order that an inquest be held if the Court is satisfied that the Coroner has failed to hold an inquest which ought to have been held.
Ends/Friday, November 11, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:53
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