• Justice Samayawardena is the fourth Supreme Court Judge to refrain from hearing these two petitions

Supreme Court Judge Mahinda Samayawardena yesterday (05) recused  himself from hearing the Fundamental Rights petitions filed by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen.   

Justice Samayawardena is the fourth Supreme Court Judge to refrain from hearing these two petitions.  
Justice Samayawardena who was the member of yesterday’s bench, declined to hear these petitions citing a personal reason.  

The Bathiudeen brothers had filed Fundamental Rights petitions in Supreme Court seeking an interim order to release them forthwith from the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). They had been arrested and detained in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.  

Taking into consideration the facts, the Supreme Court three-judge-bench headed by Justice Murdu Fernando fixed the petition for support on July 8.