16 October 2014 11:53 am Views - 1102
By S.S. Selvanayagam
The Supreme Court yesterday (15) issued an order to the IGP to interdict forthwith two officers attached to the Kottawa police station for humiliation caused to the 28-year-old mother of a 7-year-old child by summoning and detaining her in the station apparently as a hostage in order to get her brother.
Chief Justice Mohan Peiris admonished them to leave the public to live in dignity and respect the poor people.
The Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris, Justices Chandra Ekanayake and Sisira J. de Abrew ordered Sisira, a graduate trainee attached to the Community Police Unit and the Acting OIC Sub Inspector Upali to pay Rs 150,000 each to the Petitioner Lakshika Dilani Kulathunga as compensation within three months.
Court declared that the Petitioners fundamental rights to freedom from torture and the right to equality and freedom from arbitrary arrest, have been infringed by the said officers. Court directed the Attorney General to take steps against the said officers under the procedure established by law. The Petitioner cited police officers Sisira and Sub Inspector Upali as well as SSP Saliya de Silva, ASP Senapathi, IGP and the Attorney General as Respondents.Upul Kumarapperuma appeared for the Petitioner. Attorney-at-Law Kodituwakku appeared for the said officers. Senior State Counsel Lakmali Karunaratne appeared for the Attorney General.