Rishad files petition seeking order to prevent his arrest

Colombo (News 1st); Ex-Minister Rishad Bathiudeen filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal on Thursday (15) seeking an order to prevent his arrest.

The Ex-Minister is charged with Criminal Misappropriation of Public Funds and Violation of Election Laws with regard to the Transportation of IDPs in CTB buses from IDP camps to Mannar to vote at the 2019 Presidential Election.

The Acting IGP and the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department are among the respondents mentioned in the petition.

The petitioner pointed out measures were taken to transport 12,000 IDPs who were in camps in Puttlam to the areas of their permanent residency to exercise their franchise after obtaining approval from then Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

The petitioner said the CIDs attempt to arrest him on the instructions of the Attorney General are unjustified.

Rishad Bathiudeen requested an interim injunction order preventing his arrest until a final decision is given following the examination of the petition.