Devananda to stand trial for 1987 murder in Chennai

27 October 2015 02:12 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devananda is all set to stand trial before a Chennai Court through video conferencing from Colombo in 28-year-old murder case, Times of India said.

It was in the preceding night of Diwali in 1987 that Douglas and nine other Sri Lankan Tamils were involved in a shootout at Choolaimedu in Chennai. One person was killed in the incident. Though all were arrested, they absconded after being released on bail.

Non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against Douglas who later became a minister in Rajapaksa government.

At the end of civil war in 2009, he was part of a diplomatic delegation visiting India and calling on the President and Prime Minister.

At that time the TOI has exposed the fact that he was supposed to be an absconding accused with an NBW pending against him. But due to his diplomatic immunity, he was not arrested during the visit.

He didn't return to India after that. However, he moved courts for cancellation of the NBW. On September 10, 2014 Justice C. T. Selvam of Madras High Court permitted him to stand trial through video conferencing.

On Tuesday, city public prosecutor M. L. Japan filed a petition before additional sessions Judge M. Shanthi seeking to split the case and conduct trial against Douglas who has been cited as third accused in the case.

All the remaining nine accused are still absconding.

Now the case will be split and trial will be held only against Douglas. Others will face trial as and when they are nabbed and brought in court.

In his order, Justice Selvam has said Douglas should appear in the office of high commissioner of India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for video conferencing as and when it is required.

Referring to his status and attempts made on his life, the judge said: "At every instance when the petitioner is required to appear before the trial court in person, the state shall afford him appropriate protection."

"This order is passed in the peculiar circumstances of the case given the diplomatic status and the effect execution of a non-bailable warrant issued against a minister of the neighbouring state, may entail. This order shall not be seen as a precedent," he said.

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Comments - 7

Goliwog Tuesday, 27 October 2015 08:28 PM

It is time for this one to be brought before justice.

tlogi Tuesday, 27 October 2015 09:09 PM

There are plenty crimes he committed in this island but how far our legal system will work to punish for those ones?

Thiru Wednesday, 28 October 2015 02:03 AM

Now,all the murderers are brought to justice. When is the Srilankan police arrest him?

Top Cat Wednesday, 28 October 2015 08:51 AM

But, not through skype!!?

BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 28 October 2015 05:18 PM

No where in the civilized world is their a minister who is wanted for criminality in another country.

Boonda Wednesday, 28 October 2015 06:55 PM

Wrong deeds of the past catching up fast. KARMA.

OMG Wednesday, 28 October 2015 07:06 PM

only in sri lanka public vote criminals to parliament. It is a special qualification to be a sri lankan politician

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Devananda to stand trial for 1987 murder in Chennai

Comments - 7

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