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Douglas must appear in Chennai court

19 October 2012 01:30 am - 36     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Chennai sessions court on Thursday refused to revoke a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Sri Lankan minister Douglas Devananda and turned down his offer to face the murder trial he faces in India through video-conferencing.

Devananda and nine others are accused of firing on local residents and killing one person at Choolaimedu in Chennai in November 1986. All the 10 were arrested and charged with murder. A chargesheet was filed before the IV additional sessions court in 1987. As all of them absconded after being released on bail, the court declared them as proclaimed offenders in August 1994.

The minister had approached the court seeking cancellation of the warrant and cited security threat to him and possible law and order problem in Tamil Nadu if he visited the state to attend the trial. Devananda sought the court's permission to face trial through video-conferencing at the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka.

Rejecting his request, IV additional sessions judge S Rajagopalan said his personal appearance before the court could not be dispensed with because of the police objection over his identification and the gravity of charges against him. "The petitioner has not complied with the order of the high court. Further, the respondent (police) clearly and categorically questioned the identification of the person accused. The NBW is pending for long time," the judge said in his order. "Under these circumstances, after applying my judicial mind, it is concluded that the presence of the petitioner is essential, in order to ascertain his identity."

Public prosecutor Prabhavathi assured that Devananda would get adequate police protection if he chose to attend the trial proceedings. But the minister's counsel said the Tamil Nadu police were not as good in providing security as in conducting investigation, as was evident from the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Besides the security threat, the Lankan minister cited his high constitutional position in Sri Lanka for his inability to attend the trial proceedings. (Source: Times of India)

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  Comments - 36

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  • Berty Friday, 19 October 2012 03:51 PM

    In Sri Lanka he is wanted only by few thugs, murders and Political stooges-
    Justice should be meted.
    He has to face the music.

    Jaliya Friday, 19 October 2012 07:44 AM

    He should be arrested with the assistance of Interpol and sent to India. Shouldn't let him go scot free.

    Monkey Joe Friday, 19 October 2012 08:36 AM

    Question is why is he frightened to appear before the court?
    Any wrong doings ???

    rednaxela Friday, 19 October 2012 08:39 AM

    Why worry when like the cat you have nine lives?

    buffaloa citizen Friday, 19 October 2012 09:24 AM

    Not only that, those sinhalese war criminals also should be given the same treatment.

    buffaloa citizen Friday, 19 October 2012 09:26 AM

    The same reason why MR also does not wish to have an independent investigation on allegation of war crimes....any wrong doing? The shit is all over.

    buffaloa citizen Friday, 19 October 2012 09:26 AM

    Thats is what he worries, because the ninth is also over.

    Thomas Friday, 19 October 2012 10:51 AM

    This Cat must be belled.

    Law Friday, 19 October 2012 03:29 PM

    Let them have him, We don't need him in SL

    mohamed asfar Friday, 19 October 2012 06:37 AM

    Dear Douglas, do not mind india. it is all politics there.

    Impartial Guy Friday, 19 October 2012 05:13 PM

    Murder suspects are in the Sri Lanka Cabinet.

    Yuri Friday, 19 October 2012 07:23 PM

    They are too many Now,

    Yuri Friday, 19 October 2012 07:30 PM

    What Iqbal, are you setting him up?

    karu Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:32 AM

    No wander of his fear....if he go, he will be beaten up by LTTE sympathizers

    lolwut Saturday, 20 October 2012 12:44 AM

    It's so nice to see everyone united in their hatred of Devananda :3

    shanthi jayasingha Saturday, 20 October 2012 02:52 AM

    Rule of law beyond state borders because of spill-over.....................!

    Nesan Saturday, 20 October 2012 09:17 AM

    Why Sri Lanka is keeping tight lips in this matter? Sri Lanka expects other countries to extradict the wanted people back to Sri Lanka so why cant Sri Lanka send this suspected murderer to India?

    Pasel Saturday, 20 October 2012 05:09 PM

    He is a dead duck, all these years sri lankan government wants to keep him their side for a Tamil minister during the LTTE era now it is over sri lankan gov doesn't need him and no need to protect him this is the easy way to get rid of one Ex militant
    wait and see Karuna will fall too

    Iqbal Friday, 19 October 2012 04:09 AM

    Douglas Dedananda must appear before the court in Chennai to face the trail as the degree of charges are serious. It's in the interest of Sri Lanka and and her parliament that a minister accused of murder must clear his name and prepared to face the verdict.

    R.Sunthar Friday, 19 October 2012 02:34 AM

    What is open to facilitate the proper conduct of the case is not extended to a fugitive from justice.

    Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 19 October 2012 02:45 AM

    Vestiges of terrorism will follow; if not dead. Sins of past is supposed to follow like a shadow; this is common to all.

    Fazli Friday, 19 October 2012 03:18 AM

    I dont think diplomatic immunity applies in all cases

    Hong Kong John Friday, 19 October 2012 03:25 AM

    If he attends by video conferencing and is found guilty of the charge of murder will they imprison the video?

    bandara Friday, 19 October 2012 03:33 AM

    He is not holding any "High position" just a Minister. Besides if the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi is any justification for lapse of security and hence a perceived threat to the minister, he lives in SL where there have been many more killings, and the Minister is comfortable with it.

    Punchi Putha Friday, 19 October 2012 03:41 AM

    Criminals have found solace with this government, they need to be punished regardless of their affiliations

    Chams Friday, 19 October 2012 03:39 AM

    Good to see India has been trying to maintain law and order better than places like SL.

    John Friday, 19 October 2012 04:07 AM

    At least the Justice system works in India to see it in full swing, but it is unshakeable.

    Big Ears Friday, 19 October 2012 01:37 AM

    Well said, wrong doers have to be brought to justice. Not every country is a Banana Republic.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 19 October 2012 04:16 AM

    Douglas must have thought that just because Sri Lankan government embraced ex-Tigers like Karuna, Pillayan and now even KP without filing any charges against them, that the Indian courts too would let him go scot-free. He should either attend the courts personally or face extradition.

    The Judge Friday, 19 October 2012 04:44 AM

    Let the court of justice decide your case. The arrest warrant in force. Appear in person face the court, if not one day or other you will have to face the Natural justice.

    Real peace Friday, 19 October 2012 04:53 AM

    How many cabinet ministers are involved in alleged murder? I've lost the count! Can anyone help me, please?!

    Arun Friday, 19 October 2012 05:21 AM

    TN justice system is only for Jaya and Karu. Not for others.

    Silva de Mervin Friday, 19 October 2012 05:53 AM

    Hey Douglas Aiya,

    What a stupid way of approaching to that court.

    You should have said 'I forgot what it happened' in our Sri Lankan style for them to remove the NBW.

    Try again, don't give up!!

    Big Ears Friday, 19 October 2012 05:54 AM

    Just add the whole lot. You will not be off by a big margin.

    bandara Friday, 19 October 2012 06:12 AM

    it would be easier and quicker to count the ones who are not involved

    raviraj Friday, 19 October 2012 06:12 AM

    can't he just say that he cannot remember


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