Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that the Minister of Defence has disagreed, with a request made by Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen that his movements be restricted, to his place of residence from CID custody.
Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon appearing the Attorney General, made these submissions when the two Fundamental Rights petitions, filed by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen challenging their arrest and detention in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, were taken up for support.
Accordingly, Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Vijith Malalgoda, Justice Gamini Amarasekara and, Justice Murdu Fernando fixed the petitions for further submissions on July 28.
Rishad Bathiudeen is presently held at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under the detention order issued under the Prevention of Terrorism in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.
President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapha appearing on behalf of Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen had made an application according to Section 11 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). According to section 11 of the PTA, the Defence Minister has powers to make an order restricting the movement of a suspect to a place of residence.
Mustapha stated that as his client is vulnerable to being affected by the fast-spreading Covid 19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka and there is a grave threat to his life by being detained at the CID. He said grave, and irreparable loss and damage would befall him, unless interim relief is granted, by Supreme Court.
