Death of businessman - Two PNB officers arrested

16 December 2011 01:15 pm

Two Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officials were arrested today in connection with the death of a 30-year-old businessman who had visited the PNB office to sign the case book on October 30.
 
At the inquiry into the death of Mohamed Fahim by Colombo Fort Acting Magistrate Deemani Baddewela, the Fort Police said they had arrested a Sub Inspector and a police constable in connection. The police claimed the suspects were receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital and would be produced in court soon.
 
Counsel Rasika Weeratunga and Nipuna Wimalasekara appearing on behalf of the family of the businessman complained that another police officer who was wanted in this connection left the country.

Colombo Central Division ASP Ariyaratne told court that the police were conducting investigations into the matter with the assistance of the Immigration and Emigration Department.

A PNB officer had in a statement said the man had suffocated while drinking water at the PNB office.
 
But the Magistrate said that according to the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s (JMO) report the stomach of the deceased and the gullet had not contained a significant amount of food or water and as such the PNB officer’s statement was contrary to that of the JMO report.
 
The Colombo JMO Ananda Samarasekara had maintained that the death was due to asphyxia following the abnormal posture of the body and compression of the upper trunk.

“There were fresh injuries and marks in and around the mouth and nose consistent with pressure applied. There are minor and fresh injuries in the head and limbs; they are consistent with blunt force trauma.

The internal organs of the deceased did not show significant pre-existing natural diseases,” the JMO report stated. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)