Order in the writ petition challenging the magisterial inquiry against SDIG Deshabandu Tennekoon is fixed for June 23 by the CA

The writ petition filed by Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him for aiding and abetting in a criminal breach of trust case was today reserved for judgment by the Court of Appeal.   On January 26, the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court issued summons to Deshbandu Tennakoon to appear before the court on February 16 over a criminal accusation that he had allegedly aided and abetted to commit criminal breach of trust with regard to Rs. 17.8 million recovered by protesters inside the President's House on July 9.   The Court of Appeal's two-judge bench, comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar, fixed the petition for judgment to be delivered on June 23.   The Court of Appeal had earlier issued an interim order suspending the operation of summons issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate on Western Province Senior DIG Deshbandu Tennakoon.   According to this order, the magistrate had been prevented from taking any steps, including requiring Senior DIG Tennakoon to stand in the dock.   Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage decided to name Senior DIG as an accused in a private plaint filed by activist Mahinda Jayasinghe as per the provisions of Section 136(1)(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act.