Deterioration of the legal intellect in Sri Lanka

Towards an explanation about violence, based on failures of policing, prosecution, and judicialinstitutions

by Basil Fernando

Problem

( June 18, 2015, Hong SAR, Sri Lanka Guardian) There has been much discussion on violence as a result of cultural, ethnic, religious, social, and economic factors, but hardly any on violence caused by failures of the justice sector. Why there is such an absence is hard to grasp. Everyone knows that competent and efficient functioning of policing, prosecution, and judicial institutions curbs violence. The corollary to this, i.e. the absence or failures of such institutions increases violence, should also be obvious. However, in public discussions, there is hardly any reference to these institutions.

Only one thing can explain this: the society, in general, is left with no hope that these institutions will perform any better. Blaming politicians for everything is the favourite pastime of almost everyone. Though the criticism is justified, something more is needed if solutions are to be found to the problems that everyone is worried about.

In this series we have examined many events as examples that constitute the way of life in contemporary Sri Lanka. These examples sum up the basic problems of the nation’s institutions of justice. Or, to put it in another way, the manner in which these institutions function create the injustices that people routinely suffer from.

A summary of these problems will bring us to the core issue raised by the articles: how deformities of policing, prosecution, and judicial systems contribute to widespread violence in Sri Lanka. The general problem that affects all three institutions is that there is no unifying principle that binding them. That unifying principle should have been the agreement on the rule of law, as a thread that binds them.

Though it is claimed in Sri Lanka that the rule of law is the overarching organizational principle in the country’s legal system, there is, in fact, no truth to this claim. The result is that the three institutions run in ways they think fit. There is no uniformity, not even of precedence; the way something is done today need not be the way it will be done tomorrow. The operators can manipulate all operations in whatever manner they choose. Details, discussed below, regarding each institution, are important; however, no solution is possible till the overarching problem— a lack of a unifying principle— is resolved.

Details

As for policing, the prominent problems may be summed up thusly. Policing in Sri Lanka is still primitive, as it has failed to change and assimilate principles and organizational structures of modern policing, which now prevails in all successful democracies. Another significant problem is the serious deficiencies in competence in the use of sophisticated methods of information gathering. This deficiency is so glaring that it is justifiable to characterise the system, as a MODA system (a foolish system); Widespread use of torture and ill-treatment and resorting to custodial killings and causing of disappearances is another prominent problem. And, as if these are not manifestations enough of a failed system, policing in Sri Lanka is also marred by widespread corruption, the loss of management of the system under the principle of command responsibility, and, consequently, the loss of disciplinary control. Subordination to political interference completes the picture. (Under each of these categories long litany of many other defects can be listed.)

As for the prosecution functioning under the Attorney General’s Department, some of the defects publicly noted are: loss of independence, abuse of Attorney General’s power by interventions to stop investigations into serious crimes, delay in filing indictments, lack of resistance to the adjudication process, compromise regarding punishments violative of basic principles of criminology (often purely for reasons of convenience), subservience to clearly illegal orders and to demands of those in power, and all manner of internal problems that have seriously demoralized the Department.

As for the judicial system, it has, at all levels, glaring defects of its own. These are defects everyone knows about: Scandalous slowness to deliver its services has overshadowed all performances and successfully alienated most of the population. Political alliances made, during the last 40 years in particular, have undermined the idea of separation of power and the judiciary as a separate branch of government. All higher legal remedies, such a Habeas Corpus and writs, have been undermined due to the overall political changes that have taken place in the country. The judiciary’s place in the basic structure of governance has become quite ambiguous in terms of the constitutional changes under 1972 and 1978 constitutions. In the lower courts, particularly the magistrate courts, there is little room to unravel all kinds of unscrupulous manipulations done by the police, such as fabrication of charges, tampering of evidence, submission of false reports even on serious issues like arrests, detentions, torture, custodial deaths, and objections to bail.

Implications

It is in the light of all these details that the role played by the justice institutions in the generation and spread of violence must be judged. A simple way to assess this is to ask: how would a criminal, aware of these defects, think. Criminals do assess their chances of avoiding legal consequences of illegal actions. When they know that the net woven to catch them is full of big holes, the conclusions they would arrive at are obvious.

Sri Lanka Campaign seeks chair

by Campaign Director | May 12, 2015

After five years of very active involvement our chair, Edward Mortimer, wishes to hand over the role within the next year. In order to ensure the best possible candidate is chosen we are therefore announcing the start of our search for his replacement.

If you are, or if you think you might know, someone suitable then please read thisbackground document, and then use the contact information within to pass on your suggestion or to discuss the role further.

Background document (PDF)

Chair of Sri Lanka Campaign Background Doc by Thavam Ratna

19th Amendment is a key step forward in Sri Lanka’s path towards sustainable human development

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues on the podium, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen,

by Prof. Mohan Munasinghe 

- on 06/18/2015 

Ayubowan, Vannakkum, Good Afternoon.

I am going to talk to you on the 19th Amendment as a scientist and professional, and I will talk about its relationship to Sri Lanka’s path towards sustainable human development (SHD) – ie., sustainable development with a human face.

19th Amendment is a Key Step Forward in Sri Lanka’s Path Towards Sustainable Human Development by Thavam Ratna

20 th amendment is illegitimate by birth ! only ‘attic meetings,’ no committees appointed : Rajitha lies yet again

(Lanka-e-News- 16.June.2015, 11.45PM) The draft of the most crucial and decisive 20 th amendment to the constitution   aimed at changing the electoral system which decides the destiny  of the country has been prepared not by the president or parliament or by individuals officially appointed or by a committee or commission , but rather by a group affiliated to the JHU which party polled a meager 150,000 votes approximately, and by some individuals at the periphery of the SLFP, after holding some meetings in ‘dusty attics’ and ‘dark corridors.’

These meetings have neither  been attended by representatives of the minorities and their parties nor by representative groups  of minor parties .

With a view to delaying the  19 th amendment , in mid February the SLFP slaves and minions declared  that support for the 19 th amendment will be extended only if the 20 th amendment is also given support , and while insisting on  that the 20 th amendment was put forward . However , neither the president nor the parliament appointed an official  committee duly to prepare its   draft or to propose a new electoral system.

The opposition had not signed even the earlier report of Dinesh : late Jeyaraj too had resisted.

Initially , the SLFP slaves and minions had used the report of the parliament sub committee headed by Dinesh Gunawardena several years ago appointed by the parliament to change the electoral system.

Though this final report was prepared after lengthy discussions at meetings participated by party representatives , none of the parties of the opposition signed it. Even late Jeyaraj Fernandopulle of the sub committee representing the government at that time refused to sign it.

The reason cited by him  for his refusal was : Dinesh Gunawardena sub committee report  electoral system is disadvantageous to minority sections. The JVP that represented the opposition during that period too refused to sign the report though they participated in the meetings. In other words , it is only the UPFA government party that signed Dinesh’s  sub committee report .

The SLFP slaves and minions last February brought forward again proposals based on that report .

Meanwhile the JHU held several meetings in dusty and dark ‘attics’ to discuss the electoral system change .These meetings were held by their own group of members according to their own whims and fancies without any proper members being appointed. Among those who took part in the meetings frequently were : Dr. Sujatha Gamage wife of Professor Rohan Samarajeewa , Asoka Peiris of the administration service , Dr. Sudantha Liyanage and Asoka Abeygunawardena .

It is worthy of note that in this group , there wasn’t a single legal expert .A strange and queer individual had participated several times as a representative of the minority communities. He is C. A. Vigneshwaran , who had arrived from abroad . He was   the secretary some time ago to ex chief minister Pillayan .He is a secretary who not only robbed   vehicles  but even  changed the color of the vehicles within a night.

This group while they were meeting inside  ‘attics’ , had also from time to time holding meetings in the parliamentary complex with the participation of elections commissioner , prime minister , opposition leader, Dinesh Gunawardena , Karu Jayasuriya , the JVP and various other party leaders , but never did all of them  participate at the same time. At all events  that was not a sub committee specifically appointed by the parliament. These meetings were from time to time attended by political party leaders like Thilanga Sumathipala, G L Peiris, Rajeewa , Lasantha, Dilan perera ,Susil, Chandima and others   who had no connection with it . These were confused meetings. In any case even these meetings were attended by less than ten  participants. The proposals of  elections commissioner have  been presented at these meetings. 

Meanwhile, Asoka Abeywardena a participant of the ‘attic’ meetings brought in as a proposal , that the present system in New Zealand in its entirety be introduced to SL. These proposals were  presented as 20 th amendment for the first time to the cabinet through the president. In this connection no discussions were  had with  minor parties specifically. Neither have they .discussed with the elections commissioner and arrived at a consensus.

Mendacious Rajitha yet again lies as cabinet spokesman 

It was proposed at the preliminary session by the UNP , that the number of seats shall remain as 225 without  changing. However the minority parties did not agree with this.

Later on ,when the cabinet met on  the 12 th again  ,the SLFP proposed that the number of seats shall be raised to 237, to which the UNP and the minority parties did  not consent  . However Rajitha Senaratne  the cabinet spokesman who is characterized by an overriding trait of mendacity , distorted the true picture and told the media  , the cabinet decided that the number of seats shall be 237, and that shall be gazetted, while such a decision was never taken , and that was only a proposal.

Lies , distortions and deceptions apart  ,no official intellectual   team has been appointed and proposals formulated which can decide upon a most vital and crucial issue  -the destiny of a country .In other words , this  much talked about  20 th amendment is of illegitimate birth.

It is not only of illegitimate birth , it  is a tangle like a ball of twine. Advanced and civilized individuals introduce well prepared systems that would be relieving to the people , whereas these frogs in the well that took decisions at meetings within dusty attics have produced a meaningless thoughtless system. 

It is a well and widely acknowledged fact that JHU is a notorious blindly extremist group which  cannot see or think  anything beyond maniacal racism . When such a party formulates an ‘illegitimate by birth’ constitutional amendment after holding ‘attic meetings’ without taking into consideration the views of the minority parties in the country , such  proposals can only create more issues rather than resolving them, and sadly ,that is exactly what had happened. 

The electoral system cannot be changed to suit the stupidity and idiocy of the extremists just because they ingratiated themselves  into the favor of president Maithripala to take him down the garden path . The system acceptable to all must  be formulated duly with the consent of all the parties after appointing a transparent parliamentary sub committee .Through that committee after inviting suggestions and advice of intellectuals, past elections commissioners , recognized security top brass , and based on those proposals , following discussions held among party leaders , the electoral reforms shall be introduced.

Though a new electoral system is being attempted to be proposed in an unholy  haste ,  the next elections is not going to be held in accordance with that . Hence , the new electoral system that is formulated based on the lines proposed in the foregoing paragraphs shall preferably be tabled in the new parliament . This will be most salutary in the best  interests of all.  In the circumstances , what the president should do if he sincerely has  the interests of the people and the country at heart , dissolve the present moth eaten parliament immediately before its stench further  intensifies, and go for elections.

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by     (2015-06-17 00:58:42)

Do Not Trade Rights for Politics: Truth and Accountability Are Genuine Basis of Justice

by Ramu Manivannan

(Following article is based on the speech delivered by the author in a side event at 29 Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. June 2015)

In recognition of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan government and its authorities, we need to ask whether there is a unique case or a distinct crime here. The answer is, YES!, the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka has taken place over a period of time involving several steps and strategies. This includes continuous dismantling and destruction of the essential foundations of human life, of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. To be precise, the Sri Lankan government has employed the ‘doctrine of double effect’, the brutal military resolution of the ethnic conflict combined with the long-term strategy of ethnic cleansing. This ‘doctrine of double effect’ has been the most unmistakable exhibition of the genocidal intent of the State and its Sinhala nationalism

( June 18, 2015, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) There are five basic conditions towards realization of transitional justice. First, revelation and acknowledgement of TRUTH. Secondly, accountability of the perpetuators of the mass crimes and crimes against humanity. Thirdly, ground for reconciliation could be explored by establishing the conditions for addressing issues like reform of the institutions and assurance of the non-recurrence of what happened in the past. Lastly, reparation and compensation cannot be treated as monetary allowance or as part of so called rehabilitation of the victims without rights and scope for political resolution of the conflict.

Do Not Trade Rights for Politics Truth and Accountability Are Genuine Basis of Justice by Thavam Ratna

Tamil Fest to showcase art, music and cuisine at Scarborough event

Festival next step in community’s growth, says Mayor John Tory

Tamil Fest 2015

Staff photo/MIKE ADLER

Toronto Mayor John Tory and other dignitaries join a group of performers during the launch of Tamil Fest 2015 on Tuesday at the Markham Convention Centre in Scarborough. The street festival to be held on Morningside Avenue Au. 29-30 will be hosted by the Canadian Tamil Congress.

Scarborough Mirror-Jun 17, 2015

By Mike Adler 

Greater Toronto’s Tamil community is now grown up, and this August 29 and 30, the rest of us can say, “Vanakkam” - welcome.

That’s the weekend the first Tamil Fest in Scarborough will showcase a people’s arts, music, and cuisine, the Canadian Tamil Congress says, for the first time outside the Indian subcontinent.

Tamil-Canadians are 300,000 strong, “shining in various fields,” and own more than 2,000 businesses in the GTA alone, an audience at the street festival’s launch was told this week.

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Toronto events for Saturday, Aug. 29

Toronto events for Sunday, Aug. 30

Your calendar of Arts events in Toronto

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Yet the community’s culture and its history in Canada are not understood by most other Canadians.

Tamil Fest, on Morningside Avenue between Finch Avenue and Neilson Road, aims to change that, as well as to celebrate Tamil-Canadians’ many accomplishments.

“This will be the biggest and best cultural project Canadian Tamil Congress has ever undertaken,” Raj Thavaratnasingham, CTC president, declared Tuesday at the Markham Convention Centre in Scarborough.

“There’s excitement in the air, and we hope all of GTA will grab it.”

As well as world-class entertainers on the stage and street performers “whose dance and colours will dazzle you,” Thavaratnasingham said, the first Tamil Fest will have booths where festival-goers can buy food, saris and curry powder, plus a Tamil-Canadian museum.

Toronto Mayor John Tory called it the next step in what he called the community’s incredible evolution and growth.

It will be “a badge of honour for the Tamil community and for all of Toronto,” he said, before children performed a bewildering variety of traditional Tamil dances - just a taste, said master of ceremonies Sivan Ilangko, of what visitors will see in August.

There was also acknowledgement at Tuesday’s ceremony of the community’s “growing pains,” some of which resulted from a three-decade-long civil war in Sri Lanka which ended in defeat for separatist Tamils just six years ago.

Performing an imagined dialogue between Tamil-Canadians of 1990 and those of 2015, members of a youth leadership program said the arrivals once had few places in which to express their culture, and “were all focused on earning to barely make a living.”

The community is “one that has come from grave adversities but is so resilient,” said Rathika Sitsabaiesan, elected in 2011 as the first Tamil-Canadian MP in Scarborough-Rouge River, where the festival will take place.

“We are opening up our community and inviting the rest of Toronto and the world,” she said.

Other dignitaries who came to speak in support of the community and its festival were Scarborough-Guildwood MPP Mitzie Hunter, representing Ontario’s government, Scarborough-Rouge River MPP Bas Balkissoon, and Raymond Cho, the area’s city councillor.

“Canada is blessed because we have the Tamil people here,” he said.

More is available at TamilFest.ca

Dockyardgate: Bribery & Corruption Commission Starts Inquiry Into Mohan Pieris

June 18, 2015 

The Writ Application filed by the lawyer Nagananda Kodituwakku against the Corruption Commission came before the Supreme Court which comprised a bench of Chandra Ekanayake, Sarath de Abrew and Upali Abeyrathna, yesterday.

Mohan Pieris

The Petitioner, Counsel Kodituwakku appeared in person, informed Court that the Corruption Commission had formally informed him that it has initiated ‘due investigation’ into the complaint made against Mohan Pieris for causing a colossal loss of government revenue abusing the office of the AG. Corruption charge leveled against AG Mohan Pieris for in connivance in defrauding over 600 million rupees of public funds alleged to have been misappropriated by Colombo Dockyard Company.

The Court was informed that the purpose of the writ application filed in Court was to compel the Corruption Commission to initiate a proper investigation into the matter and as the Commission has already initiated action on the complaint he would not proceed with the Writ application.

However, counsel informed the Court that he would reserve his right to revive the matter in the event the Commission failed to issue legal proceedings against Mohan Pieris for causing a colossal loss to the government stated in the Petition in detail.                                                    Read More

Befuddlement in Colombo; shenanigans in Jaffna - Dr. Kumar David

Thursday, 18 June 2015

After a crisp period of activity following the election of Maithripala Sirisena as president and the induction of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister in January and culminating in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution (19A) in April, statecraft in Lanka entered a period of limbo and what will happen next is uncertain.

The tasks that should be placed on the agenda are crystal clear but that’s another matter. One healthy feature of today’s political climate is that the working relationship between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil (S&R) are good; the two are getting on well despite being from different and historically opposed political camps; the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP) versus the United National Party (UNP).

Befuddlement in Colombo; Shenanigans in Jaffna - Dr. Kumar David by Thavam Ratna

Army Hqrs Categorically Denies Closure of Army Camps After January

18/06/2015 

The Army Headquarters categorically denies recent reports that have been published in certain Media to the effect that 59 Army camps have been closed down in Jaffna since January 2015 and wishes to place the factual position in its correct perspective.

Since the termination of the Humanitarian Operation on 19 May 2009, the Army Headquarters has regularly reviewed the security situation, and troop deployment has been adjusted accordingly.

This is the standard practice followed by any professional Army in the world and it is not a new phenomenon to Sri Lanka, either. Following the same principle, the following number of small outposts has been closed down in the North after 19 May 2009.

Year Number of outposts closed down
2009 07
2010 09
2011 04
2012 —
2013 15
2014 24
2015 —
Total 59

The Army Headquarters will continue to monitor and analyze the security situation in the North and ensure that there will be no compromise on National Security whatsoever
News.lk

Finance Minister Ravi’s Retired Police Sergeant BIL Makes Insurance Corporation Profitable In Four Months!

June 17, 2015 

Speaking on the efficiency of the Maithripala-Ranil led government, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayakewas quoted to have said that the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation run by his recently appointed retired police sergeant brother in law T.M.R. Bangsa Jayah, has shown a significant growth of revenue as high as 35 percent since January this year.

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation’s (SLIC) Managing Director Bangsa Jayah the former police sergeant and brother in law of the Finance Minister Karunanayake, was appointed to his post after the new government assumed power. “I have nothing to do with it” the minister was quoted.

The SLIC comes directly under the purview of the Ministry of Finance.           Read More

Video: Mahendran will face jail term if found guilty 


2015-06-18
The present regime which practices good governance will not hesitate to send Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran to jail if he is found guilty of the controversial bond issue, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said today. 

Mr. Ramanayake told a media briefing that the present regime cannot throw away its electoral victory on January 9 just because of the Central Bank Governor. 

He said Mr. Mahendran’s impounded passport is currently with the Bribery Commission Director General. Mr. Ramanayake added that Mr. Mahendran will apply for Sri Lankan citizenship as soon as his passport is released. 

He said FCID was not set up for political victimisation. He said even the Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa, the Board of Investment chief and several other government officials will be probed by the FCID shortly as it had received allegations against them. He therefore denounced the recent allegations made by his uncle Professor Carlo Fonseka that FCID was set up for political victimisation. 

Further he alleged that there are people in this government who accept money from those who are accused of corruption to sweep their charges under the carpet. 

Minister of Media Gayantha Karunatilleke said probing is necessary to confirm the allegations on any officials including the Central Bank Governor. He too said investigations will be made to get these charges confirmed. (Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond) 

No nominations for MR: Rajitha



Friday, 19 June 2015 00:05
President Maithripala Sirisena has categorically refused to give nominations, an opportunity to enter Parliament through the National List or be nominated as prime ministerial candidate to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday. 
Sirisena had made these statements during a meeting he had with the special committee to liaison between the President and his predecessor, which was appointed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Tuesday. During a discussion with the members on Wednesday, President Sirisena had ruled out giving Rajapaksa a leg up to return to active politics. 
“He (Sirisena) is very clear on this. He told me clearly the SLFP would not give nominations to Rajapaksa nor would they earmark him as the prime ministerial candidate. Rajapaksa would not be considered for a slot in the National List either,” Dr. Senaratne told reporters.
He insisted efforts would be concentrated on passing the freshly gazetted 20th Amendment. The cabinet, which met for a special session last Friday, had agreed on a new proposal for electoral reforms via the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
Accordingly the Cabinet agreed to a proposal by President Maithripala Sirisena for a 237-seat Parliament. Dr. Senaratne defended the extension of seats from the 225 proposed by the United National Party (UNP) and insisted it was supported by the Prime Minister’s party. 
“They (the UNP) raised no voice against this, so I don’t see any problem going forward,” he insisted, adding the Government was doing all it could to pass the latest amendment at the earliest. 
The 20th Amendment which includes the new electoral system was gazetted late on Wednesday.
Acting Government Printer W.A.A.G. Fonseka said the English version of the gazette has already been printed. He said the Sinhala and the Tamil versions of the gazette would be released on Thursday.
The Government aims to present the gazette in Parliament by 30 June.
After it is presented to Parliament, the opinion of the Supreme Court should be sought, and at that point, objections could be filed if any. A special Parliament session could be summoned with regard to this when the next Parliament meets on 3 July.
When the Supreme Court opinion is informed to Parliament, the 20th Amendment could be debated and passed in Parliament. - See more at: http://www.ft.lk/article/435031/No-nominations-for-MR:-Rajitha#sthash.jmO28eHC.dpuf

Golden Key Case: Government will repay up to 41 %, says AG

June 18, 2015

The State Counsels on Thursday (18) apprised the Court of Appeal that the government will repay up to 41 percent of the moneys deposited with the bankrupt Golden Key Credit Card Company which belonged to former Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kotelawala.

The State Counsel further informed the Court that the cabinet approval has already been granted in this regard. 

   
Earlier, the Finance Minister also gave an assurance to repay the money following a discussion with a group of Golden Key Credit Card Company depositors, last month.

The State Counsel made the observation when the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by the aggrieved depositors of Golden Key Credit Card Company Ltd. was taken up before a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan. 

The petition was filed on March 23, 2009 by 24 depositors including Dushyanthi Hapugoda, who is President of the All Depositors Association and a new Director of The Golden Key Credit Card Co. Ltd, while CJ Mohan Peiris was appointed to the judge bench from April 2013. 

A total of 30 petitions were filed pertaining to the Golden Key fiasco while the court had initially declared that petition No. 2009/ 191 would be taken up for hearing and that the verdict given on that would apply to the other petitions.

Turbulence on SriLankan flight;5 crew 

members injured 

2015-06-18
At least five crew members were injured this morning when a SriLankan flight, flying from Paris to Colombo encountered severe turbulence, a Spokesman for the airline said.

 None of the 193 passengers were injured due to the incident. The flight-UL 564, carrying 193 passengers and 16 crew members onboard, landed at the Bandaranaike International Air Port at 5.21 am today, Spokesman Deepal Perera said. 

"Soon after the landing, the injured were admitted to the hospital for immediate medical treatment. All five crew members received minor injuries and one crew member was already discharged," he said. 

Following is the statement issued by the SriLankan Airlines with regard to the incident 

SriLankan flight UL 564 experiences turbulence   

Colombo, June 18, 2015: SriLankan Airlines’ Colombo bound flight UL 564 from Paris experienced turbulent weather conditions over the Arabian Sea, close to India and landed safely at BIA this morning. 

The Aircraft was an Airbus 330-200. There were 193 passengers including four infants and 16 crew members on board at the time of the incident. Five cabin crew members have sustained minor injuries due to the incident, while no injuries have been reported among passengers. The injured were referred to medical examinations upon arrival.   

The flight departed Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1300 UTC yesterday and arrived in Colombo this morning at 0521 hrs, Sri Lankan time.  

 Corporate Communications 
SriLankan Airlines 
18th June 2015 - 

Indian Politician Manhandles Airhostess, Threatens to Hit Her With His Slipper

MP Pappu Yadav during the budget session at Parliament House in New Delhi.

 

• Rishi Iyengar @OfficeOfRI
  

 June 17, 2015

Pappu Yadav apparently tried to throw leftover food in the plane's aisle

An Indian politician allegedly forced a plane into an early landing in New Delhi and prompted a request for extra security at the gate, after an airhostess complained that he behaved inappropriately and threatened members of the crew.

The complaint, a copy of which was obtained by theTimes of India, alleges that Rajesh Ranjan, a.k.a Pappu Yadav, a member of parliament from the state of Bihar recently expelled from his own party, tried to throw leftover food in the cabin aisle.

“While having lunch on the flight, 1A (Pappu’s seat number) dropped the dessert on his bag kept near his feet and asked the crew to clean it,” the complaint from the airhostess reads, going on to state that Yadav told the crew that lawmakers don’t do cleanup work, took off his slipper and waved it at them. He “told the crew he would hit them with it if the crew told him anything,” the complaint says.

Yadav denied all the accusations against him and told the Times that the crew had issues with four other business class passengers. He also asked why there has not been an official police complaint, and that action against him was impossible without one. “It’s a political conspiracy against me,” he told a news channel.

This is not the first time Yadav, a “VVIP,” has been in trouble with the authorities. He was jailed for the murder of a political rival in 2008 but was acquitted in 2013. Prior to his conviction, he allegedly re-entered a prison where he had been detained after he was released on official bail and held a party for the other inmates.

And according to the most recent complaint, he has far from mellowed in recent years. “For landing, 1A refused to upright his seat and unfastened his seat belt… After opening doors, 1A manhandled me and pushed me aside with force to get out of the aircraft…. I went to the cockpit to inform the captain,” the air hostess said in the complaint. “I was in tears and physically hurt.”