News
Case against Homagama Judge: Further report from Bribery Commission tomorrow
View(s):Calls made from suspects’ phones to be obtained
The Bribery Commission will tomorrow file a further report before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya in connection over the arrest of the Homagama District Judge Sunil Abeysinghe and his Security Officer Police Constable Mahinda Kithsiri. They have been remanded until tomorrow.
The Judge leaving courts
The Bribery Commission officials arrested them for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs. 300,000 from a plaintiff in a case pending before the Homagama District Court promising to give the order in her favour. President’s Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya appearing for Mr. Abeysinghe told court that the officials attached to the Bribery Commission arrested his client when he had gone with his security officer in search of some masons who were constructing his new house but failed to turn up for work after the Vesak holidays.
The President’s Counsel pointed out that his client is a senior and dedicated judicial officer who worked long hours that made him go in search of the workers late in the evening around 9.30. The counsel also told court that his client had not seen money being offered to his security officer which his security officer is said to have refused and the brawl that followed, since he had remained in his vehicle.
He told court that the complainant who was the owner of the Siyarata Hotel then had come and greeted his client. Thereafter, the Bribery Commission officials had taken him into custody. The Bribery Commission officials had verbally abused him and treated him as if he was a common criminal, he complained.
He submitted that the Bribery Commission officials had forced the police officer to accept the money and give evidence against the judge promising he would be made a State witness. He also charged that the complainant has several cases pending against her in the Homagama Magistrate’s Court.
Counsel Ajith Pathirana appearing for the suspect Police officer who was alleged to have accepted the bribe on behalf of the Judge told court that the Bribery Commission officials had failed to record evidence against his client. He said even with a simple mobile phone they could have recorded what they claim as evidence against the suspect.
He also alleged that Bribery Commission officials had assaulted him as he refused to do as he was told by them. Bribery Commission Deputy Director Gneral told court the Bribery Commission received the complaint around nine thirty in the morning so that there was sufficient time to get the money.
It was also pointed out that investigations are being carried out to ascertain the calls made from the telephones used by the suspects.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus