Death in Custody : Court orders second autopsy & Cops to undergo PCR in 10 days

The Mathugama Magistrate Dhammika Uduwawithana has ordered for another autopsy with respect to the body of a man who supposedly died of COVID-19 while police detention.

Magistrate Dhammika Uduwavithana ordered for the remains of the deceased to be placed at the Kalutara District General Hospital Morgue after recoding evidence from the wife of the man who was arrested on suspicion of peddling illicit liquor.

An eye-witness to the incident testified in the presence of the magistrate.

Magistrate Dhammika Uduwawithana ordered for the second autopsy to be carried out by the Chief Judicial Medical Officer attached to the Mulleriyawa Hospital.

On Wednesday (25), the Magistrate ordered for the investigations to be carried out by the Dodangoda Police.

However, as it was reported that the Dodangoda Police was already investigating a complaint against the deceased, court ordered for the investigations to be vested with the OIC of the Thebuwana Police.

The case is to be taken up in court on the 14th of September.

When inquired by News 1st, it was confirmed that the family of the deceased suspect were directed for self quarantine.

Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that the two police officers who arrested the suspect are also being directed to quarantine.

Did they do a PCR test ?

On an inquiry made by News First, the Police Media Spokesman stated that the two police officers will be subjected to a PCR or an immediate antibody test after 10 days.