Death In Custody : Court orders not to release body pending inquiry

COLOMBO (News 1st); On the 22nd of August 2021, Mathugama Police arrested a man on suspicion of peddling illicit liquor.

Hours after the arrest, Police claim that the suspect had fallen in and several hours after that the suspect was reported dead.

On Tuesday (24), the autopsy revealed that the suspect had died of COVID-19.

On Wednesday (25), the case was called up in the presence of Mathugama Magistrate Dhammika Uduwawithana where an order was made for the investigations to be handed over to the Dodangoda Police.

In addition, the Kalutara District General Hospital Director was ordered by the court not to release the body of the deceased from the hospital morgue.

Evidence is to be recorded by the court on Thursday (26).

"I demand justice. They have failed to show us the PCR report. They say there were no injuries in his body and told us to do whatever we can," said the victim's wife.

Statements have been recorded from the three police officers who made the arrest and that investigation is carried out by the OIC of the Thebuwana Police.

The Police Officers who made the arrest have been placed in self-quarantine.