SC: Jerome’s petition fixed for support

By A.K.A. Abeynayake

The Supreme Court has scheduled the Fundamental Rights petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando, seeking an order to prevent his arrest by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for support on 28 July. In addition, the Court has granted permission for Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera and several others to intervene in the petition and present their own facts.

Fernando lodged the FR petition on 26 May, requesting the apex court’s intervention to prevent his arrest by the CID. The respondents named in the petition include the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the CID’s DIG, the CID Director, and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the cybercrimes unit.

A group led by Gunawansa Thera has submitted an interlocutory application to the Supreme Court on 01 June, seeking the dismissal of Pastor Fernando’s petition without it being taken up for hearing.