Thajudeen Murder: CID special teams deployed to work on recovered infor

By Shehan Chamika Silva

The CID today informed court that it had deployed special investigation groups to examine the facts obtained from individual informants regarding few suspicious persons in connection with the murder of Wasim Thajudeen.

The prosecution was of the view that based on the informants’ revelations, the investigations are being conducted more towards to the suspicious phone conversations of those identified persons and their unusual behavior after the victim was killed on May 17,2012.

Meanwhile, acceding the prosecution’s request the Court issued directions to Genetech Institute to send the 19 femur bone pieces and seven bone pieces of chest area recovered earlier at the SAITM to the Court to name them as case productions in to the inquiry.

Earlier those 26 bone pieces were tested with the DNAs of Thajudeen's mother to very if there any of victim’s body parts contained with the recovered bones. However, the test was negative and the Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayake, who is appearing for the Attorney General said that they could not reveal intended facts from those body parts, therefore be kept in court custody without any special security.

The CID also filing further report informed court that it had recently recorded statements from 25 officials, who were attached to the former President’s Security Division, over the improper removal of pages from the ‘Daily Duty Information Book’ of the President’s Security Division pertaining to the time period of May 10-22, 2012, which was the period during that Wasim Thajudeen was killed.

They also stated that a broad investigation is conducting over the suspicious removal of pages and that another 14 security officials have summoned to the CID in order interrogate the matter.

The Prosecution also said that it had initiated an investigation to observe all phone conversations between May 16-17, which took place in the region of where Thajudeen was killed.

Former SDIG Anura Senanayake and former Narahenpita Crimes OIC Sumith Perera had been charged under Sections 113 (Conspiracy) and 32 (Liability for act done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Penal Code by the prosecution.

They were also charged with causing the disappearance of evidence, fabricating false evidence, using it to shield the offender and conspiring under Clauses of 189,198 and 296 of the Penal Code

However, first suspect, Sumith Perera was granted bail by the Colombo High Court on earlier occasion following a revision application filed on behalf of the suspect.

Considering that the suspect, Anura Senanayake had already filed revision bail applications in the High Court, Acting Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala re-remanded the suspect till May 4 and also directed other suspect to be appeared in court on the date.

Bond scandal causes Rs.10 bn loss to Govt. in next 30 years

By Shehan Chamika Silva

According to the personal computation of retired Deputy Governor, W.A.Wijeywardena, who testified at the Presidential Commission today, the government’s long term loss for the next thirty years, would be Rs.10 billion due to the failure of not meeting the appropriate terms in the process of issuing treasury bonds which took place on February 27, 2015.

His personal computation had also indicated that the immediate loss after the issuance of the bonds incurred Rs.532 million to the Government.

  

It was explained, that the February 2015 bond auction was originally intended to sell 1 billion rupees ($7 million) of 30-year bonds. Following the auction, the PDD had recommended to accept Rs. 2.6 Billion amount of bids.

However, disregarding the recommendation of PDD to accept only Rs. 2.6 billion, the Former Governor had unusually visited the PDD twice while the auction was taking place and had instructed to accept Rs. 10.058 billion amounts of bids at a higher interest rate of 12.5%.

When the recommendation was before for the approval of the Tender Board, the Governor had instructed the chairman of the board to accept the bid, even though there were some disputed arguments at the board discussions on the acceptance of bids.

Former DG said that instead of accepting such a high amount of bids at a very high interest rate, the Central Bank could have met the Rs. 13 billion fund requirement of the Government by March 2, 2015, using borrowings in a form of a hybrid version from both the Bank of Ceylon and in a way of REPO transactions with Employee’s Provident Fund. And still if there was a due balance, it could have then raised funds using the Direct Placements.

He was on the view that the Tender Board and Former Governor Arjun Mahendran had failed to exercise due diligence, since when such approval (10.058 billion amounts of bids) is before the Tender Board, the members and the chairman should have taken steps to prevent it, and also before instructing to approve such, Mr. Mahendran should have gone through the Monetary Board. “I would say that ultimately the Monetary Board is responsible over the loss incurred to the government.” He said.

When questioned over the interference occurred to the Public Debt Department by the Former Governor, he said that his nine years time as the chairman of the Tender Board had never seen such intervene of a governor while the bond auction was taking place nor any of other intervention into the process.

Explaining the consequences of the two decisions taken by the former governor to remove the 5% penalty rate and the acceptance of 10.058 billion amounts of bids at a higher interest rate of 12.5%, he said those two decisions had caused the hike of the market interest rate later.

We are for the ‘Gallows’ not the gallery : ASG

During the leading evidence of former DG conducted by Senior State Counsel Shaida Barrie, Mr. Harsha Fernando who is appearing for the interest of Mr. Samarasiri (Tender Board Chairman) said that the State Counsel is forwarding questions to the witness on behalf of the gallery not for the Attorney General.

However, responding to the commentary, ASG Dappulada Livera held that they were not bearing in mind the gallery but the gallows.

TM Dilshan surrendered in court over maintenance case

Court had issued an arrest warrant

By Shehan Chamika Silva

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain, Tilakaratne Dilshan, who had been warranted for not appearing before court over a maintenance case filed against him, was today surrendered to court, and subsequently Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara recalled the arrest warrant issued yesterday against the respondent.

The Counsel, who appeared for the respondent told magistrate that he had mistakenly noted the subsequent calling date of the case, therefore could not advise his client to appear before court properly.

The Chief Magistrate advised the respondent to appear before court on next date appropriately.

The Court issued arrest warrant on TM Dilshan yesterday (April 24) over not attending at a calling date of an on going maintenance case filed against him.

The maintenance case was put off for May 24.

Filing charge sheets delayed over Wimal's case

By Shehan Chamika Silva

Filing charge sheets in to the magisterial inquiry conducted against MP Wimal Weerawansa and six others over allegedly launching a protest on February 16, 2016 against the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussei, was postponed for September 18 by Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

The Cinnamon Gardens police earlier intended to charge against seven Suspects on charges of obstructing general public by organizing a protest at Bauddhaloka Mawatha and Hawlock road under public nuisance. According to the prosecution the alleged protest had been staged at congested roads and thereby had caused disturbance to the general people and the normal flow of traffic.

Seven suspects ,NFF leader and Colombo District MP Wimal Weerawansa, Jayantha Samaraweera, Weerakumara Dissanayake, Piyasiri Wijenayake, Roger Seneviratne, Mohammed Muzammil and Don Lucien are currently out on bail.

Police informed Court that seventh suspect, Chaminda Jayalal, who was the registered owner of the vehicle that transported laudspeakers to the protest, was not yet produced into the case.

It was revealed that the suspect's given address is wrong and the notice was not received.

Subsequently, the prosecution requested more time to find his new address and send notice before filing charge sheets against all suspects.

Bond scandal: Mahendran’s counsel objects opinions of DEW Gunasekara

2015 Special Interim Committee report not based on findings of investigation but observations of mine: DEW Gunasekara

By Shehan Chamika Silva

When former MP, D.E.W. Gunasekara was delivering evidence at the Commission today, Counsel Chanaka de Silva who appeared on behalf of the former Central Bank Governor, questioned the relevancy of obtaining an opinion over the incident from ex- chairman of the Special Interim COPE committee, which was appointed in March 2015 to investigate the controversial Bond auction held on February 27, 2015.

The Counsel moved this preliminary objection when Mr. Gunasekara was asked to speak to the commission if there were other findings by him pertaining to the subject matter.

Mr. De Silva was on the view that even though the witness had delivered his evidence in relation with the 42 evidence recorded during the investigation of the special interim committee, allowing an opinion would be utterly irrelevant to the Commission which is on facts finding, since Mr. Gunasekara was not an expert into the subject matter, and that would be unfair to other parties.

However, allowing Mr. Gunasekara to speak to the commission, the Commissioners held that they would check up such opinion from the witness and if so would not be recorded as a fair move towards all parties.

Nevertheless, Mr. Gunasekara ascertained that despite if the Commission in consideration of the interim report prepared by him earlier, it was irrelevant his personal opinion into the matter.

With thirteen members of parliament, the Special Interim COPE committee had been appointed including Mr. Gunasekara as the chairman of it to inquire into the alleged irregularities occurred at the thirty year bond auction held on February 27, 2015 and whether it had actually incurred financial loss to the state. 

During the leading evidence from the witness, Gunasekara conducted by Additional Solicitor General Dappulada Livera PC, it was revealed that statements were recorded under oath from 42 witnesses in relation with bond issue between May 26 – June 23 by the interim committee.

Later, based on the arguments happened during the parliament sessions by both government and opposition members, the Hon. Speaker had informed him to prepare a final report on the findings of the interim committee.

However, the interim committee was still investigating on the matter at that time and I replied to the Hon. Speaker over the inability to submit such a report, then the Hon. Speaker asked me to submit at least an interim report in parliament on the interim committee’s investigation, Mr. Gunasekara said.

Subsequently, chairman, Gunasekara had prepared an interim report on the investigation and had sent it to the members of the Committee for their observation. When the interim committee gathered on June 26 to decide on the interim report, three members out of seven who were presented at the gathering had objected to submit an interim report to the speaker at that particular time.

However, during these discussions, on June 26, the members had come to know the dissolve of the parliament and the proceeding were discontinued.

“It was not an interim report, which was consented by other members of the interim Committee nor based on the findings of the investigation conducted till June 23, 2015 by the Committee. It was purely an observation of mine over the investigation, but nothing else”, he revealed to the Commission.

For the further legal proceedings of the Commission, ASG also verified the listed 42 witnesses who had delivered evidence at the Special Interim Committee from the witness.

Subsequently, the Commission comprised with Supreme Court Judges Kankanithanthri T. Chitrasiri, Prasanna Sujeewa Jayawardena and former Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai to inquire into the Treasury Bond issue, decided to resume the inquiry tomorrow with two CB officials, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources, Ms. Kalyani Gunathilake and  a former Additional Governor Mr. Karunathilake. 

Thajudeen Murder: PSD officers under cloud of CID

By Shehan Chamika Silva

Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayake today told the court that the CID is conducting a broad investigation over the improper removal of pages from the‘Daily Duty Information Book’ of the President’s Security Division pertaining to the time period of May 10-22, 2012, which was the period during that Wasim Thajudeen was killed.

Filing a further report, the CID informed the court that two army officials were interrogated recently over the suspicious phone calls received to the officer, who was responsible on the PSD’s Daily Duty Information Book during the so-called time period and victim’s friend, Chaminda Jayaprakash, who had traveled with Thajudeen in his car before it was destroyed by fire.

Further more, DSG said the internal inquiry conducted against former chief JMO Ananda Sanaraseka by the Sri Lanka Medical Council would be end on April 21.

An inquiry is being conducted by the SLMC against former chief JMO Ananda Samarasekara, Shriyantha Amararatne and C.K. Rajaguru over the missing body parts of the Wasim Thajudeen and the misdeeds occurred while the post mortem of Thajudeen was conducted.

On an earlier occasion, the Genetech also informed court that the DNA test conducted on the recovered 19 femur bone pieces and seven bone pieces of chest area at the SAITM laboratory was negative with DNAs of Thajudeen's mother.

Former SDIG Anura Senanayake and former Narahenpita Crimes OIC Sumith Perera had been charged under Sections 113 (Conspiracy) and 32 (Liability for act done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Penal Code by the prosecution.

They were also charged with causing the disappearance of evidence, fabricating false evidence, using it to shield the offender and conspiring under Clauses of 189,198 and 296 of the Penal Code

However, first suspect, Sumith Perera was granted bail by the Colombo High Court on earlier occasion following a revision application filed on behalf of the suspect.

Considering that the suspect, Anura Senanayake had already filed revision bail applications in the High Court, Additional Magistrate Jeyaram Trotsky re-remanded the suspect till April 27 and also directed other suspect to be appeared in court on the date.

Udayanga Weeratunga had questionable transactions with Panama, Latvia: FCID

By Shehan Chamika Silva

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) informed Colombo Fort Magistrate today that few bank accounts of one-time Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga had received funds from Panama and Latvia, which is questionable over the inquiry conducted into the huge financial loss caused to the Government in the purchase of Ukraine-built MIG-27 aircraft in 2006

The prosecution also told court that according to the sources the suspect allegedly resides   in UAE and therefore the international warrant had been issued through UAE officials to the alleged address that he resides in UAE.

Additionally, when questioned by Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne, counsel appeared for the Air Force informed that they still failed to find the original contract agreement of the alleged deal.

The prosecution further said that the broad investigation into misplacing the original contract document of the alleged deal was being continued.

The prosecution said it was reported that the alleged contract was signed with the presence of Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga at his official house.

During the investigations, the FCID also found USD 1.5 million deposited 16 accounts of two private banks.

According to Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) Inspector Nihal Francis the deal amounted to US$14 million.

The suspect, Mr. Weeratunga was required to record statements over the incidents for further continuation of the inquiry but he was missing and absconding the inquiry.

Wimal Weerawansa released on bail

By Shehan Chamika Silva

MP Wimal Weerawansa who was in remand for misusing 40 state vehicles belonging to the National Engineering Corporation (NEC) and causing Rs. 90 million financial loss to the state during 2011-2014, was released on bail over exceptional circumstances by Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.

He was released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 with two sureties of 500,000 each. And the magistrate imposed a travel ban on him.

The Magistrate considered the unpredictable time period that the suspect could be in remand custody over the inquiry, the possible delay of the inquiry, and the health condition of the suspect’s daughter as she was in depressive disorder due to her father in remand as exceptional circumstances to grant bail.

Earlier, the Magistrate refused to grant bail on the health condition of suspect’s daughter since the defence had not submitted sufficient medical reports to support and explain her medical condition. However, on the earlier occasion the defence filed comprehensive medical reports which explained the health condition of the daughter, and thereby the magistrate considered the situation as an extra ordinary to the suspect.

Conversely, the Magistrate rejected other legal provisions put forward as exceptional circumstances by the defence earlier and held that the prosecution has leveled the charges appropriately according to the Penal Code and the Public Property Act.

According to the Prosecution, the first suspect, Werawansa had misused 40 vehicles attached to the National Engineering Corporation (NEC) by using them for his private and political activities in the disguise of using them for the ‘Janasevana’ Housing Construction Project.

The FCID said that the so-called vehicles were taken by the NEC on the leasing basis for their various mechanisms in the Corporation. And the former Minister had both orally and in writing instructed inappropriately certain authorities of the NEC to release vehicles to his cousins, members of the National Freedom Party and some other persons who were not permitted to use such vehicles.

The FCID leveled the allegations against him under section 386 (Criminal Misappropriation) of the Penal Code and section 5(1) of the Public Property Act, where if the misuse is above Rs.25, 000 bail is not applicable unless exceptional circumstances or a High Court Judge.

The case was postponed for June 19.

Bond issue probe: Perpetual Treasuries paid due balance from CBSL, EPF borrowings

Despite calculation of system 88 million unusually repaid to PT: CB Official

By Shehan Chamika Silva


Deputy Solicitor General Milinda Gunathilake today revealed to the Commission that the Perpetual Treasuries Ltd had obtained borrowings from CBSL and EPF again on April 4, 2016 when it was settling payments to the CBSL and EPF due on April 1, 2016 pertaining to the bids accepted in the bond auctions held on March 29, 30 and 31 in 2016.

Concluding leading evidence from Director in IT department of CBSL Wasantha Kumara Alwis, DSG explained to the Commission that the PT had borrowed Rs. 19.7 billion again from CBSL and EPF using ILF borrowings and REPO agreements to settle the Rs. 27.5 billion due amounts they required to settle on April 4.

In line with the bids accepted on the bond auctions held between March 29-31, 2016, the Perpetual Treasuries was required to settle the payments to the Central Bank on April 1, 2016.

The payment process was set in the systematic medium called Lanka Security System (LSS).

The Perpetual Treasuries then had obtained borrowings several times on the payment settling day (April1) using the ‘Intraday Liquidity Facility (ILF)’ of the Central Bank, which is given by the Central Bank to enable financial institutions to make payments in real time with the funds, which can be accessed during the particular business day keeping the securities provided by the institution to the CBSL as a safety.

However, the borrowings from the ILF should be settled within the same day of the payment process because it is regarded as more of free money given by the CBSL, since there was no any interest to the CBSL.

Even though, the settling payments on accepted bids at the bond auctions had been settled at the end of the payment process on April 1, the outstanding of borrowings obtained from the ILF by the Perpetual Treasuries to pay on bonds were not paid on the same date causing a default outstanding of Rs. 11.05 billion in the ILF account.

It was revealed yesterday that despite to the fact that the PT was not able to settle the ILF outstanding on April 1, they were again unable to settle the due amount on time before the official closing time of LSS.

However, they had settled the due amounts by 5 pm on April 4, 2016.

Further more, because of the Rs. 11.06 Billion outstanding in ILF borrowings on April 1, the system had calculated the increase of the market value of securities and had charged Rs. 88 million additionally from the PT on the basis that the increase of the market rate from April 1 to 4.

However, the witness revealed to the Commission that the calculated amount on the increase of the Market rate by the system was later repaid to the Perpetual Treasuries manually on the instructions of higher ranking officials at CBSL.

“Such manual intervention to repay the Rs. 88 million was an unusual and unprecedented occurrence, since the system generally calculated the increase rate, which the PT was owed to pay”, said Mr. Alwis.

It was also revealed that the PT was fined with Rs. 13.6 million by the CBSL over not settling the outstanding of ILF borrowings on April 1 and another fine of Rs. 7.8 million over a REPO agreement which PT had engaged with CBSL but could not furnish securities on time.

The witness was also cross examined by Nihal Fernando PC with Counsel Romali Tudawe.

Subsequently, the Commission comprised with Supreme Court Judges Kankanithanthri T. Chitrasiri, Prasanna Sujeewa Jayawardena and former Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai to inquire into the Treasury Bond issue, decided to resume the inquiry on April 7.

Mahendran advised not to use mobile phone inside the Commission
 

By Shehan Chamika Silva

When the commission was functioning today with the evidence from Director in IT department of CBSL Wasantha Kumara Alwis, former Central Bank Governor Arjun Mahendran was advised not to use mobile phone inside the commission by Supreme Court Justice Kankanithanthri T. Chitrasiri, who is the president of the Commission.

The Justice instructed the Counsel who appeared for the former Governor and said that he had observed Mr. Mahendran was using his mobile phone inside the Commission and that better he be advised not to do such action which is not allowed.

Previously, the former Governor was allowed to be present inside the commission to listen the proceedings.

Bond Scandal: Head of CB IT Dept. reveals Perpetual Treasuries caused 11 bn default

By Shehan Chamika Silva

While leading evidence from Director in IT department of CBSL, Wasantha Kumara Alwis, DSG Milinda Gunathilaka revealed to the Commission that the Perpetual Treasuries (PT) had caused a default amount of Rs. 11.05 billion in the process of settling the payment to the CBSL on April 1, 2016 regarding the bids accepted in the bond auctions held on March 29, 30 and 31 in 2016.

Deputy Solicitor General, who led the evidence, explained the Commission that in line with the bids accepted on the bond auctions held between March 29-31, 2016, the Perpetual Treasuries was required to settle the payments to the Central Bank on April 1, 2016. And, the payment process was set in the systematic medium called Lanka Security System (LSS).

According to the explanations made by Mr. Alwis, who was in charge of the operations in LSS, the Perpetual Treasuries had obtained borrowings several times on the payment settling day (April1) using the ‘Intraday Liquidity Facility (ILF)’ of the Central Bank, which is set up to bridge the gap between committed outflows and inflows in the transactions.

ILF is given by the Central Bank to enable financial institutions to make payments in real time with the funds, which can be accessed during the particular business day keeping the securities provided by the institution to the CBSL as a safety.

However, the borrowings from the ILF should be settled within the same day of the payment process because it is regarded as more of free money given by the CBSL, since there was no any interest to them.

Even though, the settling payments on accepted bids at the bond auctions had been settled at the end of the payment process on April 1, the outstanding of borrowings obtained from the ILF by the Perpetual Treasuries was not paid on the same date.

The DSG informed the commission that the previous such outstanding was recorded at the amount of Rs. 353 million, but the default found at this incident was 34 times more to it.

Witness said that the system generally closes by 4.30 pm, but they could not close the ILF transactions due to the default in the ILF.

It was also revealed that the PT had engaged two reversal REPO agreements with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and had obtained Rs.6 billion in their payment process to the CBSL on April 1.

Additionally, the PT had also obtained 16.5 billion using REPO agreements with CBSL in their payment process on the same day and it was revealed that out of those REPO agreements, the PT could not place their promised securities in one particular agreement depriving government to inject inflow to the open market.

However, Nihal Fernando PC who appeared for the Perpetual Treasuries told the Commission that the so-called outstanding was later paid to the CBSL on April 4 and he is need of cross examining the witness after getting further instructions from his clients regarding the details put forward before the Commission in line with the payment process on April 1.

Subsequently, the Commission comprised with Supreme Court Judges Kankanithanthri T. Chitrasiri, Prasanna Sujeewa Jayawardena and former Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai to inquire into the Treasury Bond issue, decided to resume the inquiry on April 6.

Wimal’s lawyer filed new bail application -Defence alleges no principal offender yet

By Shehan Chamika Silva

President’s Counsel Shavendra Fernando who appeared on behalf of MP Wimal Weerawansa, who was accused of misusing government vehicles, today submitted a new bail application once again for the suspect on exceptional grounds.

He argued that based on the B reports filed by the FCID, the suspect was leveled with the charge of ‘aiding and abetting’ for instructing to allocate vehicles to certain individuals under the Public Property Act.

However to charge a person with the charge of aiding and abetting there should be a principal offender who actually committed the same offence.

The FCID failed to come with any of principal offenders and thereby, in the absence of a principal perpetrator, the law applied here was wrong, he said.

Mr. Fernando also alleged that the FCID had conducted an incomplete and partial investigation covering former deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna and former chairman of National Engineering Corporation, Arshu Marasinghe, since there was sufficient evidence before the prosecution at the interrogation that above two had also instructed to allocate government vehicles inappropriately.

Additionally, in view of that the suspect was currently in remand custody for almost three months, defence counsel also told court to consider the rights attached to an individual to have a fair trial within the personal liberty protected by the Constitution it self because everyone entitles to the presumption of innocence before being convicted.

He was also on the view that even though the suspect was attending parliament sessions, the suspect’s representative duty to convey people’s views into the legislature had been restricted at a time period where a new constitution is being prepared at the Parliament.

In the mean time, the prosecution confirmed the court that they expect to finish preparing extracts pertaining to MP Weerawansa before Sinhala New year and send to the Attorney General for his opinion.

Extending the remand of the suspect, the Magistrate subsequently ordered the Prison Authority to produce suspect in Court on April 7 if the suspect’s health condition is good.

The Magistrate also fixed the same date to deliver her decision on the defence’s bail request as well.

Wimal’s bail request on daughter's health condition refused

By Shehan Chamika Silva

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne refused to grant bail for MP Wimal Weerawansa, who was accused of misusing 40 government vehicles incurring Rs. 90 million loss to the state, on exceptional circumstance of his daughter being admitted to a hospital. 

Delivering the bail order, the Magistrate told that there were no sufficient reports in court which could support and explain the health condition of the suspect's daughter.

Earlier, the defence brought a bail application on the ground of exceptional circumstance that the suspect's daughter was admitted to hospital on bad mental health condition, depression, due to her father was in the remand custody.

However, MP Wimal Weerawansa was not brought in yesterday to the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court by the Prison Authority because the suspect is currently being treated at Colombo National Hospital.

According to the Prosecution, the first suspect, Werawansa had misused 40 vehicles attached to the National Engineering Corporation (NEC) by using them for his private and political activities in the disguise of using them for the ‘Janasevana’ Housing Construction Project.

The FCID said that the so-called vehicles were taken by the NEC on the leasing basis for their various mechanisms in the Corporation. And the former Minister had both orally and in writing instructed inappropriately certain authorities of the NEC to release vehicles to his cousins, members of the National Freedom Party and some other persons who were not permitted to use such vehicles.

The FCID leveled the allegations against him under section 386 (Criminal Misappropriation) of the Penal Code and section 5(1) of the Public Property Act, where if the misuse is above Rs.25, 000 bail is not applicable unless exceptional circumstances or a High Court Judge.