SC calls for relevant documents to consider appeal in Mohamed Shiyam's murder case

The Supreme Court (SC) ordered the relevant documents of the High Court verdict which convicted six individuals over the murder of businessman Mohamed Shiyam be presented before courts today (Jan 29).

In 2015, the High Court imposed a death sentence on six suspects including former DIG Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and his son Ravindra Gunawardena over the murder of businessman Mohamed Shiyam on May 22, 2013.

However, the suspects had filed an appeal at the SC claiming that the High Court verdict was erroneous.

Accordingly, the SC's five-member judge bench while considering the appeal today had informed the High Court Registrar to submit the relevant documents pertaining to the High Court's verdict. 

The hearing of the appeal had been postponed on several occasions due to the delay in submitting the relevant documents of the High Court verdict, the Supreme Court said.

Therefore, special notice was given to the Registrar's of the Supreme Court and the High Court to report before the five-member trial-at-bar individually in order to inquire into the delay.

The appeal petition claimed that the three-member judge bench of the High Court which convicted the suspects of all charges was erroneous and therefore null and void.

Sub Police Inspector Indika Bamunuge, Police Constables Gamini Sarathchandra, Priyanka Sanjeewa, and Kelum Ranga are the other suspects in the case.