Contempt of Court Proceedings Terminated Against Rishad Bathiudeen as Cabinet Minister Tenders Apology in Open Court to Judiciary

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Chitra Weerarathne

Industry and Commerce Minister and UPFA Member of Parliament for Vanni District Rishad Bathiudeen, yesterday in the Court of Appeal, apologised to the members of the judiciary for the telephone registered under his name being used for calls which threatened the Mannar Magistrate A. Judeson, in respect of a judicial order, made by the judge.

The Cabinet Minister in the apology tendered to court added that he had the highest respect for the members of the judiciary and condemned any act which violated the dignity and esteem of the judiciary or that which violated the esteem of the judiciary. The respondent Cabinet minister regretted any pain of mind caused to Magistrate A. Judeson.

The Court of Appeal had issued notice on the Minister to show cause as to why he should not be punished for contempt of Court for having threatened the Mannar Magistrate over the phone, on July 17, 2012, over the judicial order. Subsequently, the same respondent had telephoned the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission. A Manjula Tilakaratne and demanded that the Magistrate be transferred immediately.The application for contempt was filed by Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC, and a few other lawyers.

Romesh de Silva PC appeared with Ikram Mohammed PC, Sanjeewa Jayawardene PC, G. G. Arulpragasam, Sugath Caldera, Vishwa de Livera Tennekoon, Niranjan Arulpragasam and Vasantha Kumara Niles for the petitioners.

Deputy Solicitor General, Janak de Silva, appeared for the Attorney General.

Faiz Mustapa PC appeared for Minister Bathiudeen, the first respondent in the application for contempt of Court.

The respondent Minister was present in the Court of Appeal to tender the apology and move the Court to terminate the contempt proceedings.

In view of the apology tendered to the judiciary, the proceedings were terminated. The motion of apology had explained that the respondent minister’s telephone had been used for unauthorised telephone calls.

The Court of Appeal bench comprised Justice Chandra Jayatillake.

COURTESY:THE ISLAND