Court orders arrest of suspects linked to housemaid’s custodial death

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to arrest suspects connected to the death of a housemaid named R. Rajakumari. She died while in custody of the Welikada Police. 

 

 

The court's decision followed a post-mortem examination, which revealed her cause of death as a hemorrhagic shock due to an attack with a blunt weapon. 

 

 

The magistrate has instructed the CID to apprehend those responsible for her death and present them in court. The case will continue on October 27, with the CID required to provide an update on their investigations.

 

 

Rajakumari, a 41-year-old resident of Badulla, had been arrested based on a complaint by her employer accusing her of stealing gold jewellery. 

 

 

She later died in police custody, prompting suspicions of assault. A witness testified to seeing her being assaulted by Welikada police officers.

 

 

As a result, disciplinary action was taken against several officers, including interdictions and transfers. 

 

 

The court's recent order comes after careful examination of evidence and the post-mortem report.