Interim petition filed seeking to revoke writ application filed by Rishad's brother

An interim petition has been filed seeking the Court of Appeal to revoke the writ application filed by Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, Riyaj Bathiudeen to prevent him from being re-arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The case is scheduled to be taken up for hearing on October 20. 

Rev.Fr. Lawrence Ramanayake, Director of Seth Sarana Caritas Colombo had lodged the interim petition on behalf of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.

Earlier Riyaj Bathiudeen filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an Interim Order preventing his arrest by the police over the Easter Sunday attacks.

Acting IGP C.D. Wickremaratne, former DIG CID  Nuwan Wedasinghe, CID director Prasanna de Alwis, the Attorney General and several others have been named as respondents in the petition.

He was arrested by CID on April 14, 2020 and kept under detention custody over a period of five-and-a-half-months for interrogation. Riyaj Bathiudeen claimed  that certain MPs and individuals are trying to arrest him again and tarnish his brother’s image. 

Police have appointed a 65-member-strong team to carry out investigations related to allegations against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj Bathiudeen who was released last month by the CID on the grounds that no evidence was found against him to file charges.