Two former police officers sentenced to death over custodial death
March 4, 2024 04:38 pm
The Colombo High Court has sentenced to death two former police officers who were attached to Peliyagoda Police, after they were found guilty of assaulting to death a suspect while in custody at the Peliyagoda police station in 2005.
Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe delivered the verdict today (04) following a trial that lasted over 18 years.
In July 2005, a person who was working in the residence of a police officer attached to the police fingerprint division had been handed over to Peliyagoda Police Station on suspicion of allegedly stealing a mobile phone from the house in question.
Accordingly, a Sub-Inspector of Police and a Police Constable attached to Peliyagoda Police Station were convicted of unlawfully detaining the 52-year-old suspect and brutally assaulting him to death.
Furthermore, the two accused were also ordered to pay a compensation of Rs. 1 million each to the daughter of the victim.
Meanwhile, the Colombo High Court also ordered the acquittal of the second and third defendants of the case.
