Court exonerates Dr. Shafi of all charges

Thursday, 7 November 2024 02:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen

The Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court has acquitted Kurunegala Teaching Hospital Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit Senior House Officer Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen of all charges related to his 2019 arrest and subsequent arrest.

Magistrate Bandula Gunaratne, following the Attorney General’s advice and due to insufficient evidence, ordered Dr. Shihabdeen’s acquittal yesterday.

Dr. Shihabdeen, who was at the time of his arrest a practising gynaecologist at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, faced serious allegations in May 2019 when he was accused of performing unauthorised sterilisation surgeries on women.

The accusations first levelled against him by a popular Sinhala daily newspaper led to his immediate suspension sparking significant media attention and public outcry.

In addition to the sterilisation charges, Dr. Shihabdeen was also accused of amassing wealth through illicit means and having connections with a terrorist organisation. However, in a previous ruling, the Kurunegala Chief Magistrate released him on bail after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) found no substantial evidence to support these claims.

Yesterday’s court decision formally clears Dr. Shihabdeen, concluding a prolonged and contentious legal battle.

In 2023 the Health Services Committee of the Public Service Commission also closed its inquiry into Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen and directed Ministry of Health Secretary S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha to reassign him to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital. The medical practitioner was appointed as the Senior House Officer in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit following this directive.