Chennai court rejected the petition of Minister Devananda and ordered for personal appearances

An Indian court on Tuesday reserved its orders on a petition of Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda seeking exemption from personal appearance in connection with a murder case. Sessions court Judge S Rajagopalan reserved orders over Devananda’s petition to October 18.

Arguments over the petition filed by the Lankan Minister had commenced on October 12. Devananda, presently minister for traditional industries in Sri Lanka, was allegedly involved in a murder here in 1985 and was later declared a proclaimed offender. A Non-Bailable Warrant is also been pending against him. He had moved court on September 11 to recall the NBW and submitted that a case had been registered against him and five others under various sections of the IPC. Douglas had submitted his life was still in danger from LTTE ‘sleeper cells’ both in Sri Lanka and abroad and his visit to Tamil Nadu to appear in connection with the case would create a law and order problem here. Minister urge the court to hold investiations through the video calling.He had prayed that his personal appearance before the court in Chennai be dispensed with. 10 years sentenced issued against suspects abused a woman at Batticaloa [ Thursday, 18 October 2012, 03:37.31 PM GMT +05:30 ] Batticaloa high court judge issued 10 years prison term and the fine of Rs.10 thousand against two suspects sexually abused a woman. Magistrate ordered to pay Rs.25 thousand compensation. Suspects named Meera Saribu Mohamad Rafeek and Mohamad Fareed residents of Eravur area in Batticaloa district involved in sexual abuses and robbery in the area. It was blamed these suspects have illegally entered to the house and sexually abused a woman at the residence and also robbed jewelries worth of Rs.23,500/- and also cause damages to the properties worth of Rs.45 thousand. These suspects visited Kuwait for employment returned to the country in November 4, 2003 and involved in this robbery. This case was taken up before the high court judge Sivapatha Sundaram today. Government proved the allegations against the suspect. However Mohamad Rafeek fail to present at the court due to this judge issued arrest warrant against him.