Fresh inquiry into Shamsudeen’s death - Lankan Consulate in Jeddah

Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh

The governorate in Abha has ordered fresh inquiry into the death of Mohammed Imtisam Shamsudeen, 28, Assistant Manager of Home Centre in Abha, whose partially charred body was found in his apartment in the southern city of Abha on May 9, the Sri Lankan Consulate in Jeddah announced here yesterday.

“The governorate in Abha had requested the special crime unit of the Abha police to re-investigate the case when it received the police report which ruled out foul play in the case,” Abdul Lateef Mohammed Lafeer, Consul General told the Daily News.

Shamsudeen, a Sri Lankan national had been working for the parent company, Al-Bandar International House for Trading Company for the past four years till his death. On hearing about his sudden death, his relatives in Sri Lanka complained of foul play alleging that the deceased had unpleasant encounters with some colleagues in his workplace before his untimely death.

The investigations were carried out by Colonel Abdullah Sabith Al Qahtani , who personally led his team to determine the cause of Shamsudeen’s death. In its report, the police ruled out foul play and had said that the death was due to a fire that broke out in Shamsudeen’s apartment.

The fire was believed to have caused by a short circuit due to Shamsudeen’s failure to switch off the iron after pressing his clothes in his apartment.

Two relatives of the deceased, Shamsudeen Mohamed Sadath, brother and Mohammed Imran Mohammed Fawzan, who came from Colombo visited the site of the incident and had met with senior officials of the governorate on Saturday. According to Sadath, a senior official from the governorate told him that the case had created serious doubts about the police report and he had referred it to a special unit to re-open the case.

“Permission for burial will be given only after the findings are completed,” Sadath, pointing out that he wanted his brother to be buried in the holy city of Madinah for sentimental reasons.

Fawzan thanked the sponsors for making arrangements for providing visa and travel for the two since it helped them see the body and understand the circumstances in which Shamsudeen faced his death.

After seeing the body and talking to friends of the deceased, Fawzan said that still he suspects foul play in the death.

He said the deceased had told some of his friends that he had received death threats from a colleague who faced a disciplinary action as a result of a decision taken by Shamsudeen. Fawzan said that the company had also promised to invite the two relatives when the burial takes after the completion of investigations.