A man suspected of being involved in several thefts has passed away after being taken to hospital while in police custody, following his capture and tied to a tree by villagers in the Baddegama area of Kobeigane.

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

However, he was admitted to the Nikaweratiya Hospital last night (27), where he subsequently died.

Following his death, five residents who had nabbed 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 handed him over to the police unharmed.

They further point out 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.