Death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter: Magistrate says cause of death yet to be determined by court

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

The Colombo Chief Magistrate yesterday informed that the cause of death into the death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has not yet been determined by the court.  

Explaining the circumstances that led to hold the magisterial inquest in-camera, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya said Court decided to hold the inquiry in-camera, upon a request made by the relatives of the deceased.  

The Additional Magistrate further said since various information relating to the death has been disseminated through the media, a request was received from the relatives of the deceased to conduct the inquest in-camera.  
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Court has received an analytical report from Government Analyst regarding the death of Dinesh Schaffter.  

On a previous occasion, the Court had ordered the Government Analyst to conduct DNA tests on the samples collected from the blood samples and other body parts of businessman Dinesh Schaffter.   

The CID informed Court that they are expecting to call for a DNA report pertaining to body parts of businessman Dinesh Schaffter and other samples collected from the crime scene.  

During yesterday’s inquiry, a testimony of the deceased’s brother was recorded at the Magistrate’s chamber. Further magisterial inquiry was fixed for February 8. 

• Court decided to hold the inquiry in-camera, upon a request made by the relatives of the deceased