Justice for Ishalini: Ex-Minister Bathiudeen named as a suspect in the case

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ex-Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was named as the fifth suspect in the cases filed over the death of 16-year-old Jude Kumar Ishalini, a domestic aide who died while employed at the Ex-Ministers residence in Colombo.

Four others suspects who were arrested over the case were remanded until the 06th of September.

Police have so far arrested three suspects in connection with the death of the 16-year old girl at the Ex-Minister’s residence.

They are the Ex-Minister’s Wife, Father-in-Law, and a broker, Ponnaiah Bandaram alias Shankar who is said to have trafficked the girl for domestic work.

In addition, the brother-in-law of Ex-Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was arrested by Sri Lanka Police for committing rape.

Former Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st on the 23rd of July said statements were recorded from two domestic aides who served at the Ex-Minister’s residence before the arrival of the 16-year-old girl.

These two domestic aides are women aged 22 and 32, both from Dayagama and investigations revealed that a trafficker identified as Ponnaiah Bandaram alias Shankar had brought them to Colombo.

The 22-year-old woman had expressed that she was raped at the official residence of the Ex-Minister in Colombo from 2015 to 2019.

The 44-year-old brother-in-law of Ex-Minister Bathiudeen was identified as the suspect and was arrested by the detectives.