AG’s directive to arrest Rishad illegal-CounselBy Chitra Weerarathne

President’s Counsel Faiz Mustapaha yesterday told the Court of Appeal that the instructions of the Attorney General Dappula de Livera, PC, to arrest Rishad Bathiudeen was illegal. The Counsel needed time to get instructions from Rishad on whether to proceed with his writ application, because he was already under arrest.

 Rishard Bathiudeen had filed the writ application in the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent his arrest by the CID, Rishad had been arrested on the suspicion of having abused public funds, to transport voters in CTB buses during the Presidential Poll of November 16, 2019. Rishard Bathiudeen in his writ application had claimed that he did so with the permission of then Minister of Finance, Mangala Samaraweera.

 Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General. Faiz Mustapaha PC, appeared with Shantha Jayawardene instructed by Gowri Shankari Thavarasa for Rishad Bathiudeen.

The Bench Comprised Justice Kumudini Wickramasingha and Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna. The Fort Magistrate on Monday remanded Rishad Bathiudeen till October 27, 2020. He is currently a Member of Parliament of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.