Three police officers attached to the Kobeygane Police Station have been interdicted following the death of a suspect who passed away after being admitted to the Nikaweratiya Hospital while in police custody.
According to the Police Media Spokesperson, two Police Sergeants and a Police Constable have been interdicted on charges of dereliction of duty in connection with the incident.
The suspect, who was allegedly involved in several thefts, was apprehended by local residents in the Baddegama area of Kobeygane on the afternoon of October 25 and subsequently handed over to the Kobeygane Police.
After spending two days in police custody, the suspect was admitted to the Nikaweratiya Hospital on the night of October 27, where he later died.
Following the incident, police arrested five local residents who had initially apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the authorities.
However, relatives of the arrested residents claim that the police were informed less than an hour after the suspect was apprehended and tied to a tree. They further allege that the suspect was handed over to the police without any visible injuries.
The relatives have also questioned why the suspect was not provided with timely medical attention if he had sustained injuries while in custody, arguing that appropriate medical intervention could potentially have prevented his death.
Meanwhile, the Police Media Division confirmed that the five local residents remain in custody and are expected to be produced before a court.
The circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, including the events that occurred during his two days in police custody, remain matters requiring further investigation.
