News - Unlawfully arrested and tortured, claims businessman

News

Unlawfully arrested and tortured, claims businessman

By Teles Anandappa

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed in a fundamental rights petition filed by a businessman who was allegedly arrested unlawfully and tortured by the Welikada Police.

The petitioner Roshan Mahesh Ukwatte of Angoda who runs a business at Hendala in Wattala cited Welikada Police SI Marasinghe and IP Sagara Liyanage, IGP Chandra Fernando and the Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioner alleged that on or about February 22 the two police officers arrested him on charges of robbery. He was taken to the Welikada Police with his wife and servant and assaulted. They insisted that he confess to the crime. Mr. Ukwatte said he was visited by his brother Krishantha Ukwatte who had petitioned the Human Rights Commission.

He also said that though he was arrested on February 22 he was produced before a magistrate only on February 28.

He also said that police had forced his sister to produce Rs. 200,000 saying it was the cash stolen. Even though the sister had given the money, only Rs.179, 000 was produced to court, stated Mr. Ukwatte.

The Bench comprising Justices C.N. Jayasinghe, Shiranee Thilakawardena and A. Somawansa instructed the Court Registrar to call for the medical reports as requested by the petitioner, within one month and fixed hearing for November 9.

Attorney S.K.M. Pieris with S. Bandara appeared for the petitioner.

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