The Supreme Court has decided to consider into a petition filed by ex-DIG Vass Gunawardena challenging that the Trial-at-bar of Colombo High Court has no authority to hear the case in which the DIG and five others including his son accused in the murder of businessman Mohammed Shiyam.
Five-judge Supreme Court Bench including Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, today, fixed the petition to be taken up for hearing on 21 October.
The petition was filed by Counsels representing seven accuses in the case including ex-DIG and his son Ravindu Gunawardena.
The petitioners argued that the accused in this case were apprehended and investigated under the terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Acts, and therefore, it is against the law to hear their trial before a three-judge High Court Bench.
Under the circumstance, the petitioners have appealed to the SC to revoke this decision, Ada Derana Court reporter said.
Chief Justice Mohan Peiris appointed the three-judge High Court Bench comprising Rohini Walgama, Lalith Jayasuriya and Leon Seneviratne, in this case, last June.
