WICKET EVIDENCE IN YOUTH MURDER

Are you having fever?
Inhuman murder committed using a wicket

We are using cricket equipment to enjoy ourselves. If someone is using it for a murder, it would only create havoc and a thing that should not be done.
The other day, Modara Police have arrived at AluthKade Courts with bats and wickets. That was not to complaint about the cricket fever that is widespread, but as evidence against a murder of a 21 year old youth who had passed away due an attack from a wicket which had pierced through his chest. He had been residing at Handala  Road, Mattakkuliya.
It is suspected that the murder has taken place on the 26th of September at around 8 o’ clock. Francis Sudharshan had died from this unfortunate death. He had been a son of a Hindu Priest of that village. Cruise Francis, his father has stated that gang about 30 had gathered around the house to kill him.
That was my eldest son. I have three other boys and a girl. He didn’t go to work almost a week before his death. He sold some tickets that were printed to collect fund for a ‘pooja’ in the Kovil. The cause behind this murder has been a fight that has been 3 years old. That is because of a nephew that is also one of the neighbours. Even though Sudharshan said that he had cheated money, he couldn’t prove it. My eldest son had hit on a three-wheeler which belonged to the other guy. The cause behind this murder has been the anger which has started on that day.
My son has been murdered in front of our house. A gang who has arrived in a three wheeler had asked “Are you having any fever?” At the same time, one fellow had hit my son and Sudharshan had escaped by pushing one fellow. I saw this fight and went to resolve it. Then a guy hit me and the fight grew intensely. Our neighbour also my nephew too got involved into this and he came with a machete. Thanks to the neighbours who got involved when the issue was solved.
Then we took our son to the ‘pooja’ in the kovil. The gang followed us in a three wheeler and they started a fight. But Sudharshan offered them ‘poojawa’ to our neighbour who is also his cousin. But an unfortunate thing took place which my son wouldn’t have even dreamt of. His cousin pushed him to the floor and dragged him along the floor. I jumped in and saved him at that time. Sudharshan was badly injured. But they didn’t stop at that, a gang of 30 came with bats and wickets. They were given orders to surround our house. My nephew told them not to return without killing him. Further he asked whether he needs to kill him or whether they can complete the task.
One guy hit Sudharshan’s brother with a wicket. Sudharshan who saw that had jumped in front and told them to hit him instead of his brother ad their hatred was towards them. Then, the same guy hit Sudharshan with the wicket to his chest after hitting and kicking him. Sudharshan fell to the ground and I saw that it had injured him a lot. So I carried him to the kitchen and locked him but I was not aware of the window which was not closed. Someone who had entered from that window had hit him further. Then I carried him back to the living room and I felt that he was already dead.
I accused my nephew of murdering him. He asks me as to how that could happen when he didn’t even hit him even once. There are witnesses who saw him hitting my son. Finally, my son paid him with his death. Padmalal and Ben from Modara Police station caught the suspects. Now it is left to punish them.
Sanjeewa, one of Sudharshan’s brothers told us that he died on his arms when he was carried to the hospital.
The cause for death had been a severe injury which had been caused below his heart. Death certificate states that the death has been caused by internal bleeding from the severe attack which had pressurized the heart. Apart from that, injuries to the head, armpits and bruises below the hip had also been visible.
AluthKade Magistrate Prasanna Alwis had conducted the investigation at Handala Road, Mattakkuliya and Medical Officer; G.B Dassanayake had conducted a survey on the place of crime.
The main suspect of the case is a 23 year old youth who is also said to be a son of a Hindu Priest. The cause had been a fight that has been continuing over several years. It has also been reported that a gang of Kadirana Watta is related to this murder.
Modara Police had found wickets, bats and machetes as evidence to the murder. 6 people who are directly related to this murder and 3 others have been identified. Thus, 9 suspects had been arrested and taken before courts which have been ordered to be remanded.
Scientific evidence related to this murder had been collected by the Sub-Inspector Wanninayake of Colombo North, Crime Investigation Unit. The finger prints of the suspects too have been checked.
Article- Nuwan Mahesh Jayawickrama