Court reprimands Mannar Police for violating Islamic custom

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 10:45 GMT]
Mannar Magistrate Mr.N.M.M.Abdullah Friday reprimanded the Mannar Police for taking into custody a Muslim woman while observing the islamic ritual " Iththa" after the death of her husband. The Magistrate immediately released the woman who was produced in courts by the Mannar Police to given evidence in the murder of her husband Mr Ramesh Rajah (42) and put off the inquest proceedings for November 11, legal sources said.

The Magistrate told the woman that she could appear in court next date if she is willing, legal sources said.

An unidentified gang on August 21 night ambushed and attacked Mr.Ramesh Rajah with pointed weapons when he was returning home after the closure of his cinema hall in Mannar. The injured was immediately taken to Colombo national hospital as his condition was reported critical. On August 28 he succumbed to injuries in the Colombo general hospital.

The magisterial inquest into the murder was fixed for Friday. His wife was among several witnesses listed for giving evidence by the Mannar Police.