A suspect allegedly involved in several thefts has died after being hospitalised while in the custody of the Kobeigane Police, following his apprehension by a group of villagers.
According to reports, the suspect was apprehended by residents of the Beddegama area in Kobeigane on October 25 and handed over to the Kobeigane Police.
The suspect had reportedly remained in police custody for two days before being admitted to the Nikaweratiya Hospital on October 27, where he subsequently died.
Following his death, five villagers who had apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police were arrested by the Kobeigane Police.
However, relatives of the arrested villagers have raised concerns over the arrests, claiming that the suspect had been handed over to the police without any injuries.
They alleged that the suspect had been tied to a tree after being apprehended, but the police were informed within an hour and he was handed over safely.
The relatives further questioned why the suspect had not been hospitalised earlier if he had sustained injuries during his apprehension.
They also claimed that the police had previously been informed on several occasions about thefts allegedly committed by the deceased and had instructed villagers to apprehend him and hand him over to the police. (Newswire)