Death of maid arrested over theft at popular teledrama producer’s house: Three more policemen remanded

• On a previous occasion, the CID had arrested a Sub Inspector over the same incident

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

Three policemen including two Police Sergeants and a Police Constable attached to Welikada Police Station arrested in connection with the death of Rajkumari, a housemaid who died after being arrested by Welikada Police were yesterday ordered to be remanded till September 11 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
The victim, R. Rajkumari, a 42-year-old domestic worker at a popular teledrama producer and business personality Sudharma Nethicumara’s house who was taken into Welikada Police custody over alleged theft, died while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

On a previous occasion, the CID had arrested a Sub Inspector over the same incident, and he was also ordered to be remanded till September 11 after being produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala.
The CID alleged that the first witness, the Sub Inspector, had been entrusted with the duty to keep the victim in police custody following her arrest. The CID said investigations have revealed she had been subjected to ill-treatment while being in police custody. 

The CID further alleged that Sub Inspector Ajith Kumara had taken steps to admit the deceased woman to the Colombo National Hospital, claiming that she was found in a street after falling and being ignored.
In an affidavit, the husband of the deceased said the death of his wife R. Rajkumari was suspicious and demanded an independent investigation.