Police question Hakeem on Kumari’s death

The Colombo Crimes Division yesterday recorded the statement of SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem on the death of Kumari Cooray who committed suicide by setting herself on fire outside Mr. Hakeem’s residence. Mr. Hakeem did not turn up at the UNP meeting in Kandy yesterday where a public announcement was made that he was indisposed and could not attend the rally, but a party spokesman last night said that he had left for Ampara.
Mr. Hakeem was questioned about his relationship with Ms Cooray.
The Sunday Times learns that Police Chief Chandra Fernando has directed the Kollupitiya police to hand over the investigation to the CCD for a full probe.
The 40-year-old Ms. Cooray, a divorcee and mother of two, hit the headlines last year when she in conflicting statements admitted and denied a relationship with Mr. Hakeem during a political drama surrounding the election of the Parliament Speaker.
The Sunday Times learns that CCD would also probe a complaint made by Ms. Cooray two months ago at the Kollupitiya police, saying Mr. Hakeem had visited her residence at the Royal Court Apartment Complex in Kollupitiya and assaulted her.
In the complaint, Ms. Cooray alleged that Mr. Hakeem had come drunk to her place and assaulted her after she refused to have sexual intercourse with him. She had also claimed that Mr. Hakeem had promised to marry her.
Police said they did not conduct any inquiry because Ms. Cooray later withdrew the complaint. A brother of Ms. Cooray told a magisterial inquiry into the death that his sister was not mentally deranged.
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