Crime OIC tenders apology in open Court to wage-earner for settlement in FR case

Wednesday, 15 June 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By S.S. Selvanayagam

The Aluthgama Crime Division Officer-in-Charge tendered an apology for settlement in the Supreme Court to a manual worker who complained of prejudiced arbitrary arrest and fabricated charges.

The Fundamental Rights violation application of aggrieved petitioner Mohamed Asmi alias Thambi was taken up yesterday (14) before the Bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justice B.P. Aluvihara.

Senior State Counsel Madhava Tennekoon appeared for the Respondent Police officers and the Attorney General submitted that the 2nd Respondent OIC was willing to tender apology and withdraw the case filed in Kalutara Magistrate’s Court against the Petitioner for settlement. In the settlement, the Petitioner withdrew his petition.

Petitioner cited Aluthgama Police Station OIC P.A.K. Jayasampath, Crime OIC Lasitha, SSP Prasanna Nanayakara and Attorney General as Respondents. Rushdhie Habeeb appeared for the Petitioner.

Petitioner stated he is a resident of Pathirajagoda in Darga Town. He stated a passer-by lady – who was going past while he was in conversation with his friend – rushed to a nearby temple and the incumbent monk visited the place and threatened him saying “You are selling narcotics” and informed the Police.

He lamented the Police came and arrested him and took him straight away to the temple instead of to the Police station. He bemoaned he was handed over to the monk where he was set upon severely while Police officers were silent spectators.

He added then he was taken to Aluthgama Police Station backyard and severely beaten. He stated he was later produced before the Magistrate’s Court of Kalutara and enlarged on bail.

He grumbled such well-planned conspiracies were unleashed in his area and deliberately attributed to minorities in collusion with the Police sequel to recent riots allegedly maneuvered by the Bodu Bala Sena.

The Court had already granted leave to proceed with his petition for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to the freedom from torture, right to equality and freedom from arbitrary arrest.