The Supreme Court today ordered to release Riyaj Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen from the detention order under strict conditions.

 

However, the Supreme Court ordered to release Riyaj Bathiudeen from the detention after restricting his movement to the city limits of Colombo Municipal Council, in terms of Section 11 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

 

Riyaj Bathiudeen has been arrested by the officers of the CID on April 24 and is being detained at the said department under the detention order issued under the Prevention of Terrorism in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

 

Meanwhile, Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Vijith Malalgoda, Justice Murdu Fernando and Justice Gamini Amarasekara granted leave to proceed with the Fundamental Rights petition filed Riyaj Bathiudeen challenging his arrest and detention. 

The petitioner was further ordered to appear before CID on the first and third Sunday of every month. He was prevented from leaving the country without court's permission.

The petition was fixed for May 10.

 

 

The Petitioner states that grave loss and damage have been caused to the Petitioner and to the members of his family due to the violation of his Fundamental Rights by the Respondents and it is just and equitable that the petitioner be awarded compensation in a sum of Rs. 5,000 million as compensation in respect of the violations of his Fundamental Rights.

 

 

This petition had been filed through Senior Counsel Gowry Shangary Thavarasha naming IGP, CID Director, DIG in charge of CID, Attorney General and several others as respondents.

 

 

In his petition Riyaj Bathiudeen denies the allegations that he aided and abetted the suicide bomb carried out by Ibrahim Insaf Ahamed on April 21, 2019 and he was engaged in any activity detrimental to religious harmony among communities.

 

The Petitioner said there was no reasonable suspicion to re arrest him and his arrest and detention are arbitrary and no new material to justify the requirement of issuing another detention order. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)