The Supreme Court in a ruling today (14), has directed three police officers, including Acting Inspector General of Police Deshbandu Tennakoon, to pay a compensation of 20 lakh rupees from their personal funds following the order that they have violated the fundamental rights of an individual who was illegally arrested and detained in 2011.
The petitioner, Mr. Ranjith Sumangala, claimed that he was subjected to torture during his arrest under the supervision of Deshbandu Tennakoon, who is currently the Acting Inspector General of Police.
The Supreme Court’s judgment also instructs authorities, including the National Police Commission, to take disciplinary action against all police officers involved in the incident. Ajith Vanasundara (Retired Army Sergeant Major), a private party involved in the matter, was also held liable and ordered to pay the compensation.
In addition to personal compensation from the implicated officers, the government has been directed to pay 100,000 rupees to the petitioner. The ruling emphasizes the violation of the petitioner’s fundamental rights through illegal arrest, detention, and torture.
Senior Advocate Viran Koraya, along with Advocates Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Widanagamage, represented the petitioner, while Senior Government Advocate Induni Punchihewa Deshabandu represented Tennakone and the Attorney General.
The judgment was delivered by Justice S. Thureirajah along with Justices Kumudini Wickramasinghe and Priyantha. The judgment was pronounced by Justice S. Thureirajah with the concurrence of Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe and Priyantha Fernando.
-Daily Mirror-
