Court orders evaluation of gold seized from Backhoe Saman’s wife

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama instructed the Criminal Investigation Department to submit 40 pounds of gold jewellery, seized from Shadhika Lakshani, the wife of alleged underworld figure 'Backhoe Saman' to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for evaluation and to obtain a report.

The magistrate further directed the CID to submit a comprehensive investigation report relating to money laundering allegations against her.

CID officers told the court that the suspect had been identified as the wife of 'Backhoe Saman,' an organised criminal currently in custody. She was arrested recently at the airport upon her arrival in Sri Lanka from overseas, accompanied by her three-year-old daughter.

At the time of her arrest, 40 pounds worth of gold jewellery was found in her possession. CID sought court permission to send the items to the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for evaluation and to obtain a report.

Investigators further informed the court that inquiries have been launched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 5 of 2006 to determine how she had acquired the jewellery and its value.

CID revealed that 'Backhoe Saman' has been linked to the shooting and killing of a man known as 'Kajja' and his two children while they were travelling on a motorcycle in the Mideniya area.

Officers also stated that in a separate case currently before the Embilipitiya High Court, a suspect arrested with 30 kilograms of heroin had testified that the narcotics belonged to 'Backhoe Saman.' At the time the heroin was seized, Lakshani had been overseas.

According to the CID, evidence suggests that 'Backhoe Saman' and his wife had been directing murders and drug trafficking operations in Sri Lanka while hiding abroad, and therefore, wider investigations have been launched.

CID officers objected to bail, stressing that investigations are not complete yet.

Appearing for the suspect, her counsel submitted that although her husband was allegedly involved in organised crime, she had no links to criminal or narcotics activities. Counsel argued that the only reason she had been abroad was to accompany her husband and that there was no basis to implicate her merely on that account.

Counsel further pointed out that while she had been arrested under the Money Laundering Act, no evidence had been produced against her to substantiate any charge. She urged the court to release her on bail under any suitable condition, stating that investigations relating to her had already been concluded.

When the magistrate inquired whether she wished to keep her child with her in remand custody, the suspect informed court that she preferred to entrust her daughter to her father’s care.