Friday, July 28, 2006

Police wrongfully seized equipment, CBNSat tells Court - Daily Mirror 28th July 2006

Consequent to a Writ application filed by SonicNet technologies (Pvt) Ltd,, known as CBNSat, seeking to restrain the respondents from operating their equipment, the Court of Appeal yesterday (27) issued notices on the respondents returnable for August 3.


The Bench comprised Justices K. Sripavan and Sisira De Abrew. Presidents Counsel Romesh de Silva with Sugath Caldera and Riad Ameen, instructed by G.G Arulpragasam appeared for CBNSat. Presidents Counsel Palitha Kumarasinghe with Ms. Indika Idroos appeared for the respondents.


In the application, Mass Media & Information Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, SLRC, TRC, the AG, the IGP, Chief Inspector U.K. Mahindadasa, Sub Inspector L. Tilak Bandara (all fo the Commercial Crime Unit, CID) were cited as respondents.


The petitioner complained that on June 6, 2006 the respondent police officers wrongfully and/or unlawfully and/or illegally without any right thereto sealed and/or seized the petitioners equipment and prevented him from using such equipment.


It contends that all material times it all been and is the owner and was in lawful possession of the equipment that was seized by the respondents with the claim that they did it purportedly under a magistrates order.


It maintains that the Magistrate did not order and/or authorise the sealing of the and/or seizure of the equipment.


The petitioner is asking the court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the Minister, the SLRC and the TRC to issue necessary licenses to the petitioner to conduct the operation it began from May 2005 upto June 6, 2006


By S.S Selvanayagam

1 comment:

Alf said...

I don't understand this!! Pls eloborate on this article.