Most trusted employee planned businessman's murder: Police

2 September 2016 10:22 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The mastermind behind the abduction and murder of 29-year-old textile businessman Mohammed Sakeem Sulaiman, was long standing ‘intimate’ employee (accounts assistant) at Sakeem’s textile business, DIG Ajith Rohana said today.

Addressing the media at Police Headquarters, DIG Rohana revealed the information found through the investigations conducted by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) into the murder.

Sakeem Sualiman who had a wholesale textile shop at 3rd Cross Street in Pettah which imported textiles from India, China and Indonesia was abducted outside his residence at Kotelawala Avenue in Bambalapitiya on August 21 between 11 pm -12 midnight.

His partially decomposed body was recovered in Rukulegama, Mawanella on August 24 evening.

However, eight suspects including the main suspect believed to be 24-year-old Faqeer Aslam Mohammed Fazeel aka Param Shan had been taken into police custody by yesterday and interrogations were completed by the CCD, the DIG said. All suspects aged between 24 and 30 are non-relatives of the victim.

According to the Kegalle JMO’s autopsy, Sakeem’s death was a clear homicide though the CCD investigations found that the abductors’ intention was not to assassinate him but to demand a Rs.20 million ransom from his family members while detaining him.

The seven suspects working as street porters were in the habit of gathering every evening and consuming drugs in some places in Colombo where they planned the abduction for ransom one and half month ago.

According to DIG Rohana, the same group of abductors had made an attempt to abduct Sulaiman on a previous occasion during the first week of August but it had failed.

He said lack of eye witnesses to the abduction made the CCD investigations tough and challenging. He further described how Sakeem Sulaiman was killed while being transported in suspects’ car after abduction.

“Five suspects had arrived to abduct the victim in an Aqua car rented out by the main suspect from the Mattakkuliya area. The abductors had beaten Sulaiman from the top of a machete because of his struggle against the abduction.”

The abductors who were shocked and shattered by Sulaiman’s unexpected death had then attempted to destroy evidence while another three suspects in another rented car transported Sulaiman’s body and dumped it in Mawanella.

The abductors had used various alternative roads to avoid police posts to transport the body of Sulaiman.

Despite the fact that the victim was already dead, the abductors had demanded ransom from Sulaiman’s family members to get their primary requirement fulfilled.

The victim’s mobile phone which was destroyed by the abductors was found in Morukada, Polgahawela by the police, he said.

He also said the victim’s under wear and wallet had been burnt by four abductors and dumped them in a place in Wattegama, Kandy. Police also found the vehicle used for the abduction in Kadugannawa yesterday.

He said the crime was completely solved by the CCD by August 28 pending the arrests. Nevertheless, the police did not publish any information relating to the investigation because of the arrests were yet to be made.

“So many parties tried to criticize the police for its inaction over the case. No police can find an overnight solution to such crimes,” he said.

He also told the business community in the country to be cautious when working with outsiders by taking this murder as an example.

“We have a message for the business community. There might be honest workers working under you. But among them it is difficult to sort out such dishonest and cunning employees whom you should wary of,” he added.

Incidentally, Sulaiman had offered Rs.500, 000 to the alleged mastermind Mohammed Fazeel in May, 2016 after his family was displaced by the floods. His wife had also given Rs.50, 000 more to Fazeel to repair his house that was damaged by floods.

After the unexpected murder of the victim, Mohammed Fazeel had tried to report to work at the usual time the following day. But, he had come to work several hours late.

Adding another ironic incident, Fazeel had told family members of Sulaiman that he would meet the abductors, handover the ransom and save his boss by hook or by crook. He had said he would even sacrifice his life to save his boss from the so-called abductors.

The investigations were carried out by CCD Director Nishantha Soysa, ASP Jayathilake, OIC of the CCD Neville de Silva and Sub Inspectors Nishantha Dunusinghe and Jayathilake. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 35

David G A Saturday, 03 September 2016 10:42 AM

Hats off to Sri Lanka police.You are not second to Scotland Yard.

Hari Saturday, 03 September 2016 08:47 AM

Well done. We salute you.Real honour to CCD is hang all involved in this murder.

Tyron Devotta Saturday, 03 September 2016 08:52 AM

Well done Sri Lanka Police!

Citizen Saturday, 03 September 2016 08:54 AM

Hats off to Sri Lanka Police..

Premalal Saturday, 03 September 2016 09:05 AM

The difference is that in Thadgudeen murder the police higher ups were scuttling the investigation.

Premalal Saturday, 03 September 2016 09:07 AM

Hopefully Mr Thadgudeen would get some justice now.

Be Fair Saturday, 03 September 2016 09:10 AM

"Trust" a very rare and a precious commodity in this day and age

Aruna Saturday, 03 September 2016 10:19 AM

Alas! Most trusted person! Reminds me of what happened to former president 1 1/2 yrs ago!

Suraj Saturday, 03 September 2016 10:38 AM

How come, end line Mahayaka's Involved, its very clear to public.

Bala Saturday, 03 September 2016 08:01 AM

This is current and relatively easy but those you mention are old and some evidence destroyed or covered up by MaRa associates in Police and Forces.

G. Balaretnaraja Saturday, 03 September 2016 12:08 PM

Well done S L POLICE. CONGRATULATIONS

Riz Saturday, 03 September 2016 04:51 PM

It will continue unless severe punishment is implemented for these sort of crimes,Otherwise just wasting time of such a brave police team

janaka Weeraratne Saturday, 03 September 2016 06:02 PM

hats off Sl police best wishes via DM iOS App

Lokka Sunday, 04 September 2016 11:00 AM

What it all took was a change of name for the Sti Lankan police via DM Android App

Cristo Sunday, 04 September 2016 12:04 PM

The reason this case was solved ...was firstly no politician were involved to muddy the waters...secondly ...the police always suspect in the first instance a family member or an employee ...you have to be smart to outwit someone when cross examined ...and these guys were cunning not smart

Lion Monday, 05 September 2016 09:14 AM

MAARA RATEY MAARA KATHAA.....HAAK...HAAK.....HAAK....

Lawry Monday, 05 September 2016 11:04 AM

Judas and Jude are not the same. Your ignorance is showing. Anton

Steve Thursday, 08 September 2016 10:16 AM

Top COPS have done a good job. I still suspect that the Main suspect could not have been able to get the kidnappers directly to do this work but I logically feel he certainly would have got these kidnappers from an AGENT and also should be caught.

waco Saturday, 03 September 2016 04:44 AM

Has RW acted on the report he was given. If not please investigate to find out why.Just a passenger in the Parlaiment.

Leo Friday, 02 September 2016 10:57 PM

Bravo. Now use the same sense of urgency to solve Thajudeens murder. via DM Android App

Sad Friday, 02 September 2016 11:00 PM

Very shocking and pathetic!! Very sorry to read the investigative report. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.

Dee Friday, 02 September 2016 11:13 PM

So where does the 'Van used in the abduction found in mattakkiliya' come into the picture?

Selvyn Friday, 02 September 2016 11:50 PM

We should salute the team of sleuths for their diligence with which they were able to pin down the cruel creatures via DM Android App

Javed Ahsan Saturday, 03 September 2016 01:17 AM

The CCD team deserves highest honour for solving this complicated case. Well done officers! Let the court rule out toughest punishment to the culprits

Concerned Citizen Saturday, 03 September 2016 01:48 AM

Well done Sri Lanka Police.We are finally getting a feel that things in this country are moving in the right direction without any political interference. via DM Android App

Thanga Saturday, 03 September 2016 03:08 AM

Smart work by police. This is how the police should work.

Hitapangmachan Saturday, 03 September 2016 03:51 AM

Sri Lanka police Brave via DM iOS App

sigiriya Friday, 02 September 2016 10:48 PM

Well done, Sri Lanka Police! When I first read about this case, I had the feeling or the confidence that the Police would be thorough and that they would solve this case. Well done, Sri Lanka Police!

Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 03 September 2016 05:32 AM

What a sick world. Hypocrites and underhand dealers galore.

Shadow Citizen Saturday, 03 September 2016 05:50 AM

Finally some return for our tax money that pays public servants to do their jobs... But is it selective service ? yet to see thajudeen lasantha ekneligoda etc etc etc etc.....killers brought to justice

ANTON Saturday, 03 September 2016 06:56 AM

THIS WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS CHRIST FROM ONE OF HIS MOST OBEDIENT DISCIPLES , ST. JUDE ......."JUDAAAAS........

Sadeek Saturday, 03 September 2016 07:04 AM

Well done....mind blowing

ANTON Saturday, 03 September 2016 07:11 AM

BETTER TO HAVE ONE THOUSAND ENEMIES OUTSIDE THE HOUSE THAN TO HAVE ONE SINGLE ENEMY INSIDE.

dham Saturday, 03 September 2016 07:25 AM

Our hearts with the family of victim but silver lights is how professional our police team this could easily direct to innocent man. Awaiting same for aTarjudeen case. via DM Android App

Joe Saturday, 03 September 2016 07:56 AM

Police solved this case only because because he was a businessman and there family had money to push them. What will happen to the crime cases of the poor people who dont have enough funds. via DM Android App

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Most trusted employee planned businessman's murder: Police

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