CCTV footage deleted in Rs. 4 Mn bribery probe: Three DMT officers further remanded

By Bhagya Silva

Colombo, June 6 (Daily Mirror) - The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABC) informed the court today that all CCTV footage recorded on the premises of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Narahenpita branch on the day of the recent bribery raid had been deleted. 

The officers emphasised that such an act carried out while the suspects remained in custody, signals a grave and deliberate attempt to obstruct the ongoing investigations.

This case stems from the incident where the CIABC launched a covert operation following a tip-off about irregular practices at the Narahenpita branch. After weeks of surveillance, officers carried out a surprise raid on May 23. During the raid, they reportedly discovered over Rs. 3.9 million in cash hidden in a cupboard in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, while a further Rs. 200,000 was allegedly found in the bag of the clerk.

Three suspects, Deputy Commissioner Dilan Nuwan Kumara, Assistant Manager Pradeep Nishantha and clerk Samantha Perera, were arrested and later remanded by the court.

CIABC officers told the court that the issuing of driving licenses does not involve any direct handling of cash by officials, as all payments are required to be made through banks, with receipts submitted to the department. They argued that the large sums of money found during the raid points to systematic corruption and abuse of office.

Further raising concerns, investigators revealed to the court that the CCTV system, which could have provided vital visual evidence of the alleged transactions, had been tampered with and all footage from the day of the raid had been erased. They stressed that this deliberate deletion, carried out while the suspects were already in custody, suggested the involvement of other parties and a possible attempt to destroy evidence.

The officers strongly objected to any consideration of bail, asserting that the suspects' release could severely hinder the progress of the investigations, especially in light of the tampered evidence and ongoing inquiries into additional individuals who may have been involved.

Subsequently, the suspects were further remanded till June 20 by the Chief Magistrate.