Two police sergeants and a constable attached to the Kobeigane Police Station have been interdicted over alleged dereliction of duty following the death of a suspect while in police custody at Nikaweratiya Hospital on October 27, police said.

On October 28, a man suspected of involvement in several thefts died after being admitted to hospital while in police custody. He had reportedly been apprehended by villagers in the Baddegama area of Kobeigane and tied to a tree before being handed over to the police.

The suspect was apprehended by residents and handed over to the Kobeigane Police on October 25. He had reportedly remained in police custody for two days.

However, he was admitted to Nikaweratiya Hospital on October 27, where he subsequently died.

Following his death, five residents who had apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police were arrested by officers of the Kobeigane Police.

Relatives of the arrested individuals allege that they informed the police within an hour of apprehending the suspect and tying him to a tree, and that he was handed over to the police unharmed.

They further argue that if the suspect had been assaulted by the villagers, steps should have been taken to admit him to hospital before his death.

The relatives also claim that the police had previously been informed on several occasions about the deceased man's alleged involvement in thefts.

On those occasions, the police had instructed them to apprehend the suspect and hand him over to the authorities.