AG finds evidence to file action against minister

8 August 2012 03:14 am - 75 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Attorney General’s Department has found sufficient evidence in the police report to file charges against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen over allegations that he had threatened the Mannar Magistrate on July 18, the Daily Mirror learns.

An AG’s Department source said yesterday a preliminary study of the the CID report had indicated there was a prima-facie case against Minister Bathiudeen over his alleged involvement in organising the Mannar protests and threatening Mannar Magistrate and District Judge Anthonypillai Judeson.

The police report is being studied by senior state counsel and a final decision is expected in the next few days.

The source said the AG department is expected to instruct the Police to file charges against the Minister and several others after the CID report was studied in full.

Minister Bathiudeen is alleged to have instigated a group of Muslim fishermen in Mannar to protest the order given by Magistrate Judeson on the removal of a group of Tamil IDPs from Veduithalithivu.

They had then damaged the Mannar Magistrate’s court building by stoning it. Minister Bathiudeen is also alleged to have threatened the Magistrate asking him to change his ruling or face the consequences.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa angered by the negative developments had instructed the Police Chief to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and file charges against anyone involved in the incident.

The incident had a snow-balling effect with all Bar Associations passing resolutions condemning the protests and alleged threats on the Magistrate. The refusal by lawyers to attend court proceedings crippled the Judiciary for a couple of days.

In the North, all Magistrate Courts were dysfunctional as lawyers refused to attend court proceedings till last week. The Mannar Magistrate’s Court is still not back to normal.

Meanwhile a group of lawyers filed a case against Minister Bathiudeen for Contempt of Court and Minister has been ordered to appear in the Court of Appeal on September 5th. (SAJ)

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Comments - 75

Saradial Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:30 AM

Also justice for Mannar people.

Upul Arunajith Wednesday, 08 August 2012 11:17 AM

Guaranteed, rest assured nothing will come out of this. This AG involvement is a storm in tea cup aimed at pacifying the agitated. In Sri Lanka thet need some drama on a daily basis to keep life moving. This is a Drama and nothing more. The police officer and the senior state councilor will either get a ride in the blue van or will be given DPL post and set away.

Bawa Wednesday, 08 August 2012 11:05 AM

Let the law and order do its duty!

Hassan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 11:20 AM

Exactly. Most of the people doesn't know whats happening in Mannar.

MTV and their Tiger Support Channel always doesn't show exact picture to the people.

farieze Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:47 AM

where is AG for other crimes? why only for this minister who fights for poor people chased away by TAMIL TIGERS?

Mikee Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:28 AM

Now that the Attorney General's Department openly says that they have evidence to the fact that the Minister has used his powers to show his might to the Judiciary he must be given the due punishment. Unfortunately some of those who sent their comments have come out with communal feelings.

myfa Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:18 AM

well done. I bow my head for new AG who made us proud of our judiciary, keep it up. God bless you.

Ashraff Nazim Wednesday, 08 August 2012 10:06 AM

Anyone can call as if he is the minister. It has to be proved that the caller is the minister. Until then please don't cast aspersion on the poor minister. He is doing his best to serve the poor Muslims of Mannar who were first evicted by the LTTE and now harassed by the Tamils. It is a pity no one talks on their behalf.

Saradial Wednesday, 08 August 2012 09:48 AM

Nothing to do with Minority or Majority

Mylanka Wednesday, 08 August 2012 12:41 PM

Well said... They were waiting him to hit a wall.... here is the chance...

Cynic Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:51 AM

Sorrry that you don't understand what "kicked upstairs" means.

amir Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:44 AM

jayantha ..mervin, maindha , kottaba, duminda all are corrupted sinhala politicians . accodring to you does it make whole sinhala buddist community corrupted ?

aslam Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:35 AM

Minister of the country should follow law and order , i think he is under protection of basil rajapakse....., its same

pasha Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:23 AM

he forgot that he is minority

Kautilya Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:08 AM

A sign of revival of AG,s department. But still we need to keep our fingers crossed.

aj Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:07 AM

No more wait.. must take action against him.. and arrest he and his family member who attacked court.

Silva de Mervin Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:16 AM

Ha,...ha,ha

He forgot that he is not a Mervin or Duminda!!!!

Matalan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:16 AM

In my view, the Politician in question should be dealt with as per the law of the state for contempt. Equally, a very thorough investigation should be put in place to rectify the alleged wrong-doings against certain communities through court orders.

mohamed asfar Thursday, 09 August 2012 09:30 AM

he should be punished according to the law. in the meantime do justice to the mannar muslims who were denied justice for too long.

richardson Thursday, 09 August 2012 04:51 AM

We do not commit crimes,like killing non Muslims in Nigeria.

john Thursday, 09 August 2012 03:29 AM

this sowllen headed minester should be punished siverly!!!

kumara Senanaike Thursday, 09 August 2012 02:09 AM

Oh Yeah!!? Amazing...!

neina Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:21 PM

Dont jump for conclusions. What writes at last matters

Jaffna returny Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:59 PM

"White wash" (Rajapaksha wash/ spin)

Dinu Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:00 PM

Some ministers get away with murder, the AG’s Department and CID should do the same with all ministers who break the law.

kanishka Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:27 PM

This is sinhalese chauvinism.they r trying to destroy muslims .

Mohamed Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:51 PM

The phone number from which the said call wasmade has been verified and then only CID gave the case to police.
Please study the history of the case before you try to comment, and please the culprit.

Jeevan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:05 AM

This regime is famous for thug ministers! Mervyn, Dumindha and many others who had recently got caught for raping under age girls and for receiving bribes. RB has shown that he is not different from these thugs! Put the case to Mannar courts!

Ronny Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:03 PM

If he is convicted which is very unlikely as things happen in Sri Lanka, he will get the Presidential pardon and posted as an Ambassador in a Gulf country.

M.S.Mudali Wednesday, 08 August 2012 02:42 PM

AG is not coming under any Minister according to our constitution.

Sando Wednesday, 08 August 2012 02:05 PM

Please punish this minister to keep the law and order intact

Sedara Wednesday, 08 August 2012 01:35 PM

Don.t you worry my friend he will meet with justice so that no one else will ever think of doing something like that for ever.

DEEN Wednesday, 08 August 2012 01:25 PM

MUSLIMS WERE VICTIMIZED IS A TRUE BUT A DIFFERENT STORY. FOR THIS WE MUST GO THROUGH THE PROPER LEGAL MEANS. A PROMINENT MINISTER TO POINT FINGER & DICTATE TERMS TO A LEARNED JUDGE CANNOT BE ACCEPTED IN ANY WAY. IT IS TOTALLY INCORRECT. I THINK HE IS TRYING TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF Dr. MERV AND OTHER HOOLIGANS IN OUR PARLIAMENT. ISLAM NEVER PREACHED THAT. HE MUST BE SEVERELY DEALT WITH.

S.Sriranjan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 01:34 PM

Congratulation Mr.Minister of Justice for the Impartiality!!!

Iqbal Wednesday, 08 August 2012 01:23 PM

Has the culture of letting alleged criminals scot free has changed?

A Ahamed Wednesday, 08 August 2012 12:50 PM

Politicians having their own code of ethics and behavior not only from IB everybody know the history how the law and order administered, so please do not take as muslim any other communit, if anybody love the country just support impliment the law and order

ramon Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:26 AM

transfer all ag dept staff to manner and mullaitivu

Bikechain Bubbleband Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:42 AM

Hopefully MR won't sack the AG for this statement, as he is trying to save his son (Rishard) by all means.

Andrew Pitugala Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:39 AM

All credit to the Lawyers. Let us hope that they will follow it through.

Jayantha Jayamanne Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:38 AM

Good move, we are anxiously awaiting for the good day that Rishard Badhideen kept bihind bars.

Kiris Baba Amaray Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:36 AM

Wrong doers and culprits only should be kicked out, not the people act with sense. Sorry for you for defending a ruthless nasty Minister.

nicky karunarathna Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:25 AM

Anybody who has done the wong thing should be brought before the court of law no matter his designation. This is not JRJ or UNP or LTTE period. Country and its people should get the dignity. MR should show the way to the world like he brought the terrorist to its knees.

Godagampala Rohana Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:32 AM

Good job by AG Dept., we need to see this ruthless Minister put behind bars.

Haffez Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:32 AM

We believe New AG. Law must be equal to every citizen.

jayantha Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:14 AM

This is how muslims cultural , its no matter Ramadan ,

jayantha Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:13 AM

Put him to jail

Amarathunga Chandika Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:45 AM

Anyhow try your level best to keep RB in jail and count bars, this is our prayers.

Apsara Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:02 AM

What about the attempted murder of the Judge (ie: shooting order). Several lives have been saved due to the wise decision of police officers. Judge also to be summoned.

Apsara

Prasanna Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:43 AM

Mr. President. You should suspend him on all activities.
If a government servent is charged with small disiplinary action, they are ask to stay away but why is it not working for so powerful ministors.
If you dont do these there will be people who will take the law to hands since no justice will happen when they are fnctioning as ministors. What is the status of the police officers handling the case when they have to salute the defendent !!!!!!!!!! People of SL are not bulls as you think... they are watching these...........!!

Nodrog Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:46 AM

Now that you have found evidence do you have the guts to prosecute him? Deal him the most severest punishment as he is supposed to be a role model for good citizenry but is such a poor example.

Manik Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:31 AM

Not only action should be filed but he should be given the severest punishment. Otherwise other political thugs too will resort to similar action in future.

malkanthi Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:27 AM

what a shame during Ramadan fasting, a time of confession adding more sin.

Cynic Wednesday, 08 August 2012 04:27 AM

The new AG might also get "kicked upstairs" for this.

Zeki Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:59 AM

Please remand and give him the suitable punishment

roger Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:49 AM

Well done AG Dept now throw this unruly politician in jail or bring Harsh punishment for Obstructing the duty of the magistrate.

neinagesuduwa Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:59 AM

under which jurisdiction are you referring to? Just for my personal knowledge.

Matalan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:10 AM

.......and the General who carved out the victory to his knees! Wonderful!!

buffaloa citizen Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:00 AM

This time Ramazan buriyani and wattalapam is awaiting him at Welikada. Tell him to start packing.

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 08 August 2012 08:06 AM

The outcome is obvious in this wonderland: If the Minister is to be prosecuted, the Speaker will prohibit it citing rights of elected representatives; If the AG goes ahead determinedly, he will be "kicked upstairs" just as his predecessor; And finally if the Minister is found guilty and convicted, he will get a Pardon from the King. And then life goes on in this Paradies of Fools.

LMAO Wednesday, 08 August 2012 07:39 AM

hehe desperate attempts by minister's goons to divert the situation.

Amila.G Wednesday, 08 August 2012 07:54 AM

AG you might act straight on this issue, BUT History has n`t.

Amila.G Wednesday, 08 August 2012 07:50 AM

This is just one incident, There may have been many who may have Threatened / Influenced or Other wise to favor the Verdict.

Ahmad Wednesday, 08 August 2012 07:16 AM

What is your cultural behavior?

Dee Wednesday, 08 August 2012 07:04 AM

If the party has a backbone this guy should be stripped of all post and sent off. but looks like AG will go.

Dadoriya Wednesday, 08 August 2012 03:26 AM

The end of the road for ? . Your guess is as good as mine.

Cyclops Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:59 AM

So now he could be put in the slammer and the key thrown into the sea off Puttalam!!!

Minister Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:56 AM

Then AG will have to prove is bona fides!

shan Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:22 AM

what has your comment got to do with Ramadan.....do not try to sling mud to the total muslim community without knowing the full episode and for your information this was before the month of Ramazan.

The fact that whether he is involved in these allegations would be revealed by time.You seem that no other officials in other religions have ever committed any offense.

Omar Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:16 AM

My brother fazeel you miss the point. The issue is the conduct of a minister. If people protest that is different but we cant let politicians take the law in to their hands. We muslims could have raised the issue politically but our politicians need to be controlled or else all is lost.!

Basil Illangakook Wednesday, 08 August 2012 06:04 AM

I have also heard that the sister of this magistrate was one of the leaders of the LTTE women's wing. The government should also look in to this.

fazeel Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:36 AM

You are talking nonsense without knowing the facts. The LTTE evicted all the Muslims from the North including Mannar. These people lived in camps in Puttlam and other parts of the country for over 20 years. Now, with the dawn of peace, they want like any of us want to gpo back to their homes. They are being prevented both by the church and all the officals under the thumb of the Bishop of manner from resettling. What prabharan couldnt achieve with the gun is being implemented by the Tamil officials with the Pen. Isn't there justice for the Muslims who were evicted. It was a case of ethnic cleansing and there arent any Sinhalese either. It use to have 5 to 6% Sinhalese and none have gone back.

Lal Surain Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:51 AM

Apsara Judge has the right to protect the and give orders. if you dont know the lawof the ountry please study before made suh silly question.

jayasri Wednesday, 08 August 2012 05:33 AM

This has nothing to do with fasting madam. This man insults his own community

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AG finds evidence to file action against minister

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