(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 today (05).
Justice Mahinda Samayawardhena, a member of the Judge Panel, said he would withdraw from considering the Petitions over personal reasons.
Earlier, Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and A. H. M. D. Nawaz also withdrew themselves from hearing the Petitions.
The Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and his brother 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.
The next hearing of the Petitions is scheduled to be held on 08 July.