A Sub-Inspector and three police officers, who were arrested in connection with the death of housemaid R. Rajakumari while in custody at Welikada Police, have been further remanded until October 16 by the Colombo Magistrate.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala had previously ordered an identification parade during which the three suspect police officers and the Sub-Inspector were identified by witnesses. Following this identification parade, they were remanded until Monday. However, due to ongoing investigations, the Magistrate has further extended their remand until October 16.
During the identification parade, three witnesses positively identified the suspects.
The deceased, R. Rajakumari, 41 years old and a resident of Badulla, was arrested on May 11 based on a complaint filed by her employer, Sudharma Neththicumara, alleging theft of her gold jewelry. Rajkumari, while in police custody at Welikada Police, tragically lost her life. Concerns and suspicions were raised by her relatives and human rights activists, who alleged that she had been subjected to torture.
According to the post-mortem report conducted by the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), the cause of death was determined to be hemorrhagic shock resulting from damage to the deceased's muscles, caused by an attack with a blunt weapon.
