IGP before court

25 July 2010 06:42 am

By S.S.Selvanayagam


The Contempt of Court application filed by Superintendent of Police J.R.Jayawardena against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for non-compliance with a court order is to be taken up before the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

In his application filed through Attorney-at-Law Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, Superintendent of Police J.R.Jayawardena stated the Supreme Court on May 25 granted him an interim relief suspending the decision to place him on compulsory leave until the final disposal of his fundamental rights application.

He complained that the IGP willfully, consciously and/or deliberately acted in disregard of the interim order made by the Supreme Court and failed to issue necessary message and/or instructions to the relevant authorities and to release his official uniform, issues and official vehicle to enable him to assume duties in accordance with the said interim order.

He alleged that the IGP deliberately continued to disregard the interim order and the said conduct was actuated by improper and deliberate motive to impede, obstruct and/or interfere with the process of the justice and/or defeat the said order of the court.

He complained the conduct of the IGP is in disregard of the authority of the Supreme Court and is intended to lower its authority. He contends that the IGP has committed an offence of Contempt of Court by his willful defiance of the said order of the Court.

The Court on May 25 granted leave to proceed with his rights petition filed against the purported order of the Defence Secretary to place him under compulsory leave with immediate effect.

In his petition, he alleged that he had been placed under compulsory leave on the allegation of bias whereas he was successful in ensuring a free and fair elections at the last Presidential election.