Misappropriating US$ 3,000 : Suspect released on bail

by Sarath Malalasekera

A Pakistani national who was suspected to have been concerned on the Commission of misappropriating US$ 3,000 by false website transaction was released on bail by Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Namal Balalle.

The CID's Internet Crime Division produced the suspect in September on a complaint made by an Australian Company that the suspect was operating a false website in the name of their company and got US$ 3,000 transferred to the suspect's account at a bank in Colombo for a purchase order.

Abdul Raheem, the suspect was arrested at the BIA whilst coming to Colombo from Karachchi. Counsel for the suspect M.M. Abdul Kalam submitted to Court that under Section 2 of the Bail Act No: 30 of 1997, Bail shall be regarded as a rule and the refusal to grant bail as the exception.

The golden rule on Bail is that everybody is presumed innocent until his guilty is proved. It's a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right. Personal Liberty of a person should not be curtailed on mere suspicion, the counsel said.

Bail shall be granted since the investigation is almost complete. No interference to evidence or witnesses is possible in view of the case. There will be no public repercussions if the suspect is granted bail in terms of the nature of the case, the counsel submitted. The suspect is in remand for almost 2 months for an offence which does not necessitate such long period of remand.

The CID objected for the bail stating that the Interpol investigation is not over and waiting for a report.

After hearing the submission of the Counsel and the CID, the judge allowed the Bail in a sum of Rs. 350,000 and one surety to the value of Rs. 500,000. The suspect was also asked to report to CID every Sunday, between 9.00 a.m. 12 noon.

M.M. Abul Kalam with Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara appeared for the suspect. The hearing was fixed for February 02, next year.