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Magisterial inquiry tomorrow into Justice Sarath de Abrew’s death
View(s):The Magisterial inquiry into the death of former Supreme Court Judge Sarath de Abrew will be conducted tomorrow at the Mt Lavinia Magistrate courts.
The Judicial Medical Officer of the Kalubowila Hospital, Dr R.D. Dhanushan who carried out the postmortem has returned an open verdict into the death of Mr de Abrew. The findings will be disclosed in court on Monday.
Mt Lavinia Police Officer-in-Charge Crimes Division, IP D. Mallikaarachchi told the Sunday Times that initial investigations revealed that, on the day of the incident, Mr de Abrew’s wife, his daughter, her teacher and a domestic aide were present.
“On the day of the incident, Mr de Abrew, his wife and the teacher had visited a temple in Moratumulla, where they met with a monk and returned home at around 10 a.m,” he said.
“Then, Mr de Abrew on his return, had found that the letters had not been collected and left in his office, and had found fault with his daughter for not collecting the letters. Thereafter, Mr de Abrew had gone upstairs where his breakfast had been served.”
He said the balcony on the upper floor has a short parapet over which he usually bends and calls for the domestic aide down stairs. “The teacher had heard Mr de Abrew calling out for the domestic aide. The teacher had gone upstairs and seen his legs going over the parapet,” the officer added.
Mr de Abrew’s head had hit the paving stones on the pathway. His lighter and a cigarette were found beside him.
Mr de Abrew was pronounced dead on admission to Kalubowila hospital.
Mr de Abrew retired prematurely, after he was accused of sexually abusing a domestic aide.
He was subsequently indicted adue to commence at the Colombo High Court on September 14.