Death of Dinesh Schaffter Post-mortem report to be released within two weeks

• Further magisterial inquiry has been fixed for October 9
• On February 27, the Court appointed a five-member-panel of medical experts to perform a fresh post mortem inquiry

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya yesterday informed that the five-member expert medical panel appointed to perform a fresh post-mortem into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter have concluded their task and its analytical report is to be submitted to court within two weeks.  

Accordingly, the Additional Magistrate ordered the CID that the body of the deceased be released to his family members as the post-mortem examination has been concluded by the five-member expert medical panel.   

 Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris appearing for the interests of Chandra Schaffter, the father of late Dinesh Schaffter, brought to the Magistrate’s attention regarding three facts. He said the findings of the first post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Ruhul Haq to the effect that death was due to cyanide poisoning contradicted the Government Analyst’s report. He further said Dr. Rahul Haq had not paid his attention to the injuries as depicted in the photographs. Finally, he maintained that the forensic psychological report issued regarding Dinesh Schaffter has not been issued on a scientific basis. Pieris moved Court that a direction be issued on expert medical panel to consider these facts when they are conducting the post-mortem examination.  
However, the Additional Magistrate observed that there is no necessity of issuing an order regarding these facts since the expert panel is already well aware about these facts.  

The Additional Magistrate observed that the verdict of the inquest into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter would be delivered once it received the analytical report of the five-member expert medical panel. Further magisterial inquiry fixed for October 9.  

The body of businessman Dinesh Shafter was recently exhumed before a panel of medical experts who were appointed to perform a fresh post mortem inquiry.   

On February 27, the Court appointed a five-member-panel of medical experts to perform a fresh post mortem inquiry into the death of businessman Dinesh Shaffter, in order to ascertain whether the death was a murder or suicide.   

The five-member-panel comprised Professor Asela Mendis (Chairman), Professor B.C.R. Perera, Professor D.H.S. Fernando and two JMOs Dr. Siva Subramanium and Dr. B.R. Ruwanpura. They have been tasked with performing a fresh inquiry to decide the actual cause of death for businessman Dinesh Shafter.   

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the aggrieved party.

• Additional Magistrate observed that the verdict of the inquest into the death of Dinesh Schaffter would be delivered once it received the analytical report of the expert medical panel