Three more policemen remanded over domestic helper Rajakumari's death

Three policemen, including two police sergeants and a police constable attached to Welikada Police Station, arrested in connection with the death of Rajkumari, a housemaid who died after being arrested by Welikada Police, were today ordered to be remanded till September 11 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. The victim, R. Rajkumari, a 42-year-old domestic worker at a popular teledrama producer and business personality Sudharma Nethicumara's house who was taken into Welikada Police custody over alleged theft, died while undergoing treatment at the Colombo National Hospital. On a previous occasion, the CID had arrested a sub-inspector over the same incident, and he was also ordered to be remanded till September 11 after being produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawala. The CID alleged that the first witness, the subinspector, had been entrusted with the duty to keep the victim in police custody following her arrest. The CID said investigations have revealed she was subjected to ill-treatment while in police custody. The CID further alleged that Sub Inspector Ajith Kumara had taken steps to admit the deceased woman to the Colombo National Hospital, claiming that she was found in a street after falling and being ignored. In an affidavit, the husband of the deceased said the death of his wife, R. Rajkumari, was suspicious and demanded an independent investigation.