Inquiry into HC applications begins

[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 September 2004, 20:02 GMT]
Chavakachcheri Magistrate Mr.P.Subramaniam commenced recording the evidence of petitioners in three Habeas Corpus applications, which came up for inquiry Thursday. The petitioners have sought the court to order the first respondent who is an army official and other respondents to produce the youths who were reported disappeared after their arrest during the period 1996-1997, legal sources said.

The Magistrate ordered that the inquiry would be continued even in the absence of the first respondent Captain Dumminda Keppitigollawa of the Sri Lanka Army and other respondents in the HC applications, the sources said.

Captain Dumminda Keppitigollawa and other respondents were not present in court Thursday.

Captain Keppitigollawa is currently serving in the Palaly main SLA base, source said.

Civil groups have said about 24 Tamil persons were reported disappeared during 1996-97 period in Kaithady-Navatkuli area in Jaffna town following a cordon and search operation by the SLA soldiers. The first respondent Captain Keppitigollawa was stationed in the area during the said period, legal sources said.

Counsels Mr.M.Remedius of Centre for Human Rights and Mr.A.Vinayagamoorthy appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Further inquiry was put off for October 13, legal sources said.

Another set of HC applications is listed for inquiry in the Chavakachcheri courts on Friday, legal sources said.

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