‘Swiss Kumar’, the main suspect in the rape and murder of 18-year-old Sivaloganathan Vithya revealed yesterday (29) that State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Vijayakala Maheshwaran had intervened on his behalf when residents captured him, tied him to a lamppost and beat him up.

Addressing the Kayts Magistrate Court yesterday Mahalingam Shashi Kumar alias ‘Swiss Kumar’ said, “Kayts Police arrested by brother and took him to Jaffna. As I was on my way to see him, people in Velanai captured me, tied me to a lamppost and began beating me. Vijayakala Madam arrived there and asked then to stop beating me.”

Swiss Kumar further said, “Vijayakala Madam stayed there for about two hours. Later my wife and my mother arrived there and begged the people to let me go.”

At an earlier date, the Kayts Magistrate had instructed the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Police to investigate if State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Vijayakala Maheshwaran had aided the escape of suspects in the Vithya rape and murder.

Vijayakala Maheshwaran had been questioned by the CID on evidence given by lawyers representing former Senior DIG Lalith Jayasinghe who was arrested for allegedly helping ‘Swiss Kumar’ escape.