(UTV | COLOMBO) – Another Justice attached to the Supreme Court announced that he will withdraw from considering the Fundamental Rights (FR) Petitions filed by Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen, who were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The petitions were taken up at the Supreme Court before a 3-member Judge Bench comprising Preethi Padman Surasena, A. H. M. D. Nawaz, and Achala Wengappuli today (23).
Justice Nawaz, a member of the Judge Panel, said he would withdraw from considering the petitions over personal reasons.
Justices Yasantha Kodagoda and Janak de Silva also withdrew themselves from hearing the Petitions for the reason he was presiding the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCOI) into the Easter attacks.
The Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen were detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the PTA on early Saturday morning of 24 April.
In the wake of the arrest, people took to the streets all over the country demanding the former Minister’s release.
Protests erupt in several districts in the country including Colombo, Mannar, Puttalam, and Vavuniya, demanding that the Vanni District Parliamentarian, who respected humanity and served the people with the utmost respect, must never be blamed for Easter attack and should be released.
FR Petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the release of Rishad by the lawyers of the former Minister.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the CID, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department, the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Department, and the Attorney General (AG) named as respondents in the FR Petition.
