Chandran Vithusan, 22
A young Tamil man, who was arrested by the Sri Lankan Intelligence Division last night at a house in East Iruthayapuram, Batticaloa, has died in detention this morning.
The body of Chandran Vithusan, 22, who was arrested outside his house in East Iruthayapuram by people who identified themselves as intelligence officers at 10.30pm last night, has been handed over this morning.
Death of 21 year old in Police custody in #Batticaloa!
Mother says victim was arrested last night around 10.45 PM and saw him being beaten. Morning she has got a call saying he is in hospital. She notes that injuries were found in his body. @ambikasat #SriLanka pic.twitter.com/qOHRB8932X
— Kavinthan (@Kavinthans) June 3, 2021
Vithusan came out last night when a friend called him over the phone and asked him to come out. The young man was then arrested by the so-called intelligence officials who were standing in the street.
"My brother was arrested around 10.30 & he was beaten with poles in front of our house. Then they took him to #Batticaloa police station. Today, early morning, they informed that he has died" - sister of Chandran Vidushan, who died in police custody. #SriLanka #PoliceBrutality pic.twitter.com/0gpbnhByA9
— JDS (@JDSLanka) June 3, 2021
According to the people of the area, the youth was severely beaten by the officials.
The parents were informed this morning that Vithusan had died of an illness. However, relatives insist the young man was beaten to death by the officials.
Batticaloa Deputy Superintendent of Police, L.R. Kumarasiri, who arrived at the scene of the incident, began the investigation into the death. Eravur Circuit Magistrates Court Judge, Jeevarani Karuppaiyapillai, has began conducting a murder investigation into the death.
A police team was formed today, led by Eravur Police Station Officer-in-Charge, SW Jayantha, who are currently investigating the incident.
The Batticaloa Forensics Team is conducting inquiries and the body is being kept at the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital for an autopsy report.
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