Ex-CID Chief Shani Abeysekera granted bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Shani Abeysekera was granted bail by the Court of Appeal on Wednesday (16).

In addition, the Sub-Inspector of the CID Sugath Mendis was also granted bail by the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal ordered the Gampaha High Court to release the two suspects on two surety bails of Rs. 01 Mn each.

In addition, an order was made barring the suspects from traveling overseas without permission from the Court.

Court of Appeal justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne & R. Gurusinghe also made void the order made by the Gampaha High Court on the 09th of December 2020 rejected the bail application filed by Abeysekera seeking bail.

Shani Abeysekera was arrested and remand for almost 10 months on the charge of fabricating false evidence against Ex-DIG Vaas Gunawardena and several other suspects.

The Court of appeal today ruled that there are strong indications that the allegations against Shani Abeyesekera are a result of falsification.

Handing down the judgement the on the application filed by attorneys representing Shani Abeyasekera challenging his detention the Court of Appeal released him on a cash bail of 25,000 rupees, and a personal bail of 1 million rupees with 2 sureties.

Shani Abeysekera and Sub-Inspector Sugath Mendis, were held in prison and denied bail for over 10 months.

The Court of Appeal in their judgement stressed that the unusual and extraordinary delay in lodging the first complaint against Shani Abeyesekera despite every ability to do so demonstrates that the allegations against Shani Abeyesekera are a result of falsification.

The COA highlighted that the unusual delay has introduced an exaggerated account or a concocted story to unduly cause prejudice and harm to Shani Abeyesekera.

The Judgement adds that the statements give by witnesses in the case in 2014 and 2020 are contradictory.

The Judgement states that “No credible evidence has been brought to the attention of the court to establish a case against Shani Abeyasekera.

The COA also highlighted that there is no evidence before court to say that the the suspect would interfere with the witnesses or evidence against him, or obstruct the course of justice.

Shani Abeysekara was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) in 2020 over allegations he concealed evidence in a weapons case involving former DIG Vas Gunawardane.