Bar Association asks CJ not to assign cases to SC judge accused of assault

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has requested the Chief Justice not to assign a Supreme Court judge, who is accused of assaulting one of his female domestic employees, to rule over cases.

The BASL has handed over a letter to Chief Justice K. Sripavan asking him not to list Justice Sarath de Abrew to hear cases. The BASL has also asked other judges to prevail upon Justice Abrew to resign.

“There have been reliable and serious reports of a judge of the Supreme Court being implicated in acts of serious assault and that Police investigations are ongoing. The Bar Association has made representations to His Lordship the Chief Justice that it is deeply concerned at the alleged conduct of the judge and reports of a past history of similar conduct by the same Judge.

“The Bar has requested that the judge concerned not be permitted to sit or carry out public functions as a judge as well as that the said judge be called upon to relinquish office in the interest of the integrity and reputation of the Judiciary,” the BASL said in a release.

A woman employed as a housemaid at the residence of Justice de Abrew has lodged a complaint at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on 26 June claiming that she was pistol-whipped across her head by the judge on several occasions.

The victim is currently receiving treatment at the Kalubowila Hospital for her injuries.

Meanwhile, the Police Media Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the judge had refused to give a statement over the complaint and the police would be compelled to arrest the judge according to the directive of the magistrate.

The Police Spokesman added that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had ordered the CID to further investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, the Lawyers Collective had also said that it expected Justice de Abrew to step down without further embarrassing other judges and the citizens of the country.