Court allowed to peruse suspect's bank accounts

by Sarath Malalasekera

Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Namal Balalle allowed an application by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing a complaint by business tycoon Sabir Hussein against his sister Sabrina Fahim of Alwis Place, Colombo 3 in connection with an alleged criminal breach of trust of Rs. 60 million, the money belonged to Hussein, to peruse two private bank accounts to obtain details of the accounts.

When the case was called, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya, Senior Counsel for the suspect, submitted to court that this is a matter between a brother and sister. The CID whold have not entertained this complaint as two persons from the same family are involved.

At this stage, when Warnakulasuriya made some remarks to the character of Hussein, Deemani Beddewela, who deputised for President's Counsel M.L.M. Ameen said, the Senior Defence Counsel should not have made any remarks against his client when he was not present in court.

Warnakulasuriya said Hussein had left the country immediately after the complaint.

Beddewela said his client was in the country at a five star hotel in Colombo and would appear in court when he received summons from Court.

After the submissions by both counsel, the Judge directed the case to be called on February 8, 2006.

President's Counsel M.L.M. Ameen with Ms. Deemani Beddewela appeared for the complainant.

Hemantha Warnakulasuriya with Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara, Vijitha Wickremasuriya, Dushit Johnthson, Prasanna Weerasekera and Ramani Abeygunawardena appeared for Fahim.