Indrani’s Story: Police torture & Fabrication of charges

by Harshi C. Perera

(December 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Her name is Indrani Mallika, but in her village of Idegasthuduwa she is known as “nona”. She is a 38-year-old mother with two children.

Welipanna policemen wearing civilian clothes arrested her on October 11, 2010, around 5.30pm. Indrani was on her way to attend a religious ritual in her village and visit her mother. Police Sub Inspector Warnakulasooriya held her hair and assaulted her head using a ”ladappa” pole. Indrani tried to prevent the attack by blocking it with her hand, which suffered injuries as a result. After that she was taken to the Welipanna police station. The police removed the man who was in the holding cell and put Indrani inside.

The names and the numbers of the policemen who arrested Indrani were given below.

1. Sub Inspector Warnakulasooriya
2. Premasiri 33383
3. Kumudini 4101
4. Priyantha 1851
5. Rajapakse 82092

Indrani was produced before the Matugama Magistrate Court on the next day around 12 noon. The lawyer the police hired for her was prevented from even mentioning what was really happened to Indrani. The Magistrate ordered her into remand for 11 days, but further ordered that the prison authorities provide any necessary medical treatment.

Indrani was detained in ward number 01 of the Kalutara prison. There was not enough space to sleep properly; it was impossible if lying down to turn to this or that side. The prison officers forced pretrial detainees to work, most commonly cleaning the toilets. Luckily the police did not force Indrani to work because of her hand injury. Aside from the lack of sleeping space, the other facilities in the prison were good. The prison provided enough water to bathe and the prison staff never assaulted the prisoners who were not in the proper place at the queue to get food. On October 23, 2010, Indrai was released on bail.

At the prison, one officer advised indrani not make any trouble with the police. When she went to collect her earrings and clothes, another officer told her to be cautious because the police fabricated heroin possession charges against her. She further told Indrani that the majority of the pretrial detainees were being imprisoned on fabricated of heroin possession charges

Indrani Mallika had previous offences. Prior to 2008, she engaged in the “kassippu” trade. When she was arrested for her involvement in the illicit liquor business, she had to pay money to the police. After that, Indrani quit the kassippu business and avoided illegal activity.

But on December 15, 2009, the police filed case number 48862/09 against Indrani on fabricated of charges for the possession of 5888mg of heroin. The court however acquitted her .Then in 2010, the police filed case number 245/10 against her on fabricated charges. Indrani posted bail after posting an Rs.100000/= valued surety and Rs.1000 in cash.