SC issues notice on IGP to answer Contempt charge

The panel of three judges of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Asoka de Silva) yesterday issued notice on the Inspector General of Police to be present in Court on 11 February to answer Contempt of Court charge.

The panel of judges including Justices N.G.Amaratunga and K.Sripavan made this order on the complaint made by aggrieved Superintendent of Police J.R.Jayawardena who served in the Ampara District of the Eastern Province in the eve of the last Presidential election.

Petitioner Jayawardena in his petition stated he had earlier been placed on compulsory leave and later restored in the service by virtue of a stay order by the Supreme Court. He complained he has now been interdicted with immediate with severe one than that of earlier one allegedly to the same charges. He had filed a fundamental petition challenging his placement on compulsory leave on the allegation of bias as he was, he claims, successful in ensuring free and fair elections at the last Presidential election.

The Court, on 25.05.2010, granted leave to proceed with his petition challenging the purported order of the Defence Secretary to place him under compulsory for the alleged infringement of his fundamental right to equality and equal protection of the law.

The Court had also granted interim relief suspending the operation of the decision to place him on compulsory leave until the final disposal of the said application.

Petitioner alleged the IGP however acted in disregard of the said interim order of the Court and complained to the Court that the IGP was in disregard of the authority of the Supreme Court and he intended to lower the authority of the Supreme Court and had thereby brought to the Supreme Court into contempt.