Jaffna Court orders inquiry into habeas corpus application

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 October 2004, 16:12 GMT]
Jaffna High Court Judge Mr.K.P.S.Varatharajah Monday referred the Habeas Corpus application filed by Mr.Kanapathipillai Velupillai seeking the production of his son Mr.Velupillai Uthayakumar who was reported disappeared after the arrest by Sri Lanka Army soldiers during 1996 period to the Chavakachcheri Magistrate for preliminary and report, legal sources said.

Six HC applications were listed for hearing in the Jaffna High Court Monday and one filed by Mr.K.Veluppilai was taken up for inquiry, legal sources said.

The petitioner cited two respondents, Lt.Colonel Mahinda Ratnayake, then officer in charge of the Kodikamam SLA detachment during the period 1996, and former Jaffna area commander Major General Lionel Balagalle who later became the Commander of the SLA.

Having heard the arguments by attorney-at-Law Mr.Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy and the Army Legal Officer captain Kurupppu, the High Court Judge referred the HC application to the Chavakachcheri Magistrate.

The petitioner was further instructed to appear in Chavakachcheri Magistrate Court on November 12.

The inquiry into other five HC applications was put off for December 12, legal sources said.