Dr. Shafi granted bail

• Court releases accused on cash bail of Rs. 250,000 and surety bail of Rs. 2.5 million​

Dr. Mohamed Shafi Shihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, who was accused of illegally sterilising women, was granted bail yesterday.  

During the hearing, the Court released the accused doctor on a cash bail of Rs. 250,000 and four surety bails worth Rs 2.5 million. Dr. Shafi was also ordered to present himself between 9 am and 12 noon every Sunday at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). At the hearing, the Magistrate stated he was granting bail as there were no objections from the Attorney General on the bail application.     

The Magistrate further ordered family members of the suspect to present their bank details to the CID.

Special security protection had been deployed around the premises of the Court, as the doctor, who was in custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), made his second court appearance on Thursday.

He had been remanded over multiple charges, including being an alleged member of the National Thowheed Jamath, money laundering, and the sterilisation of mothers during Caesarean sections. During an earlier hearing, the CID had informed the Court there was no evidence to support the allegation of illegal sterilisation.