The Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of the Homagama Police has been interdicted over alleged dereliction of duties in connection with the death of a suspect while in police custody, according to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Investigations into the incident have reportedly revealed serious lapses in duty on the part of the Homagama HQI, leading to disciplinary action.
According to the police, the suspension was ordered over several alleged failures, including not properly monitoring the suspect while he was being held in a police cell, failing to provide appropriate instructions to investigating officers regarding further action, and failing to adequately supervise whether the suspect’s condition was being checked.
The OIC has also been accused of failing to properly examine whether the relevant records concerning the suspect’s arrest had been accurately maintained.
In addition, the decision to suspend the officer was linked to allegations that he had allowed police personnel at the station to unlawfully detain two individuals in police custody.
The suspension of the Homagama HQI took effect on October 28, following the findings concerning alleged negligence and shortcomings in supervision related to the incident.
Meanwhile, the former OIC of the Crimes Division of the Homagama Police, who was arrested in connection with the incident, is scheduled to be produced before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court today (29).
The officer, a 32-year-old resident of Horana, was arrested yesterday by officers of the Western Province South Divisional Crime Investigation Division.
In addition to the interdiction, the Superintendent of Police in charge of the Homagama District suspended three police officers from service with effect from October 26 over the incident. They include two Sub-Inspectors who served as the OIC of the Crimes Division and the OIC of the Anti-Corruption/Raids Unit, respectively, and a Police Constable who was on duty at the time.
The deceased was a 29-year-old father of two from Kiriwaththuduwa. He was arrested by Homagama Police officers at Pitipana Junction on October 25 on suspicion of possessing narcotics.
According to police, the suspect developed a sudden illness after being brought to the Homagama Police Station. He was subsequently admitted to the Homagama Base Hospital for treatment but later died.
Following the death, the incident was reported to the Homagama Magistrate’s Court. The Acting Magistrate conducted a site inspection and a magisterial inquiry into the body at the Homagama Base Hospital.
A post-mortem examination was subsequently conducted by a Judicial Medical Officer at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Investigations are being conducted by the Western Province South Divisional Crime Investigation Division under the direct supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Homagama Division, with assistance from the Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of Homagama District II.
The Western Province South Divisional Crime Investigation Division and the Police Special Investigation Unit have also launched separate investigations into the incident on the instructions of the IGP.
