The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today ordered an Inspector of Police (IP) attached to the Kalutara Special Crime Investigation Unit, who was arrested in connection with an alleged bribery incident, to be remanded in custody until July 3.
The suspect who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), was produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva this afternoon, said Ada Derana reporter.
Presenting facts before the court, CIABOC officers stated that the investigation was initiated based on a complaint lodged by an individual engaged in the business of buying and selling vehicles.
The officers informed the court that the suspect had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 2 million from the complainant to settle a matter involving an illegally assembled vehicle as a civil case, without initiating criminal proceedings.
CIABOC officers further stated that the complainant had subsequently held discussions with the suspect through his associate, a resident of the Kalutara area.
Accordingly, the suspect had met the complainant at a restaurant in Kalutara on Vesak Poya Day. During the meeting, he had allegedly demanded Rs. 2 million to refrain from taking legal action under criminal law regarding the vehicle. The amount was later reduced to Rs. 1.5 million and subsequently agreed at Rs. 1 million.
The Commission officers stated that the suspect had initially accepted Rs. 100,000 from the complainant and was arrested yesterday while allegedly accepting the remaining amount as the bribe.
CIABOC officers informed the court that investigations into the incident had not yet been concluded and that the Government Analyst’s report and CCTV footage were still pending. They therefore requested that the suspect be remanded in custody.
No attorney had reportedly appeared on behalf of the suspect. However, speaking from the dock, the suspect denied accepting money as alleged by the Bribery Commission.
Having considered the facts presented before the court, the Magistrate ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody until July 3.
