CJ defers from hearing Rishard’s appeal

Newly appointed Chief Justice Mohan Pieris yesterday declined to hear an appeal case filed by Minister Rishard Badurdeen before the Supreme Court.

The appeal filed by the Minister against an order by the Court of Appeal to show cause as to why he should not be charged with contempt was taken up before a three judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Pieris and including Justices P.A. Ratnayake and Satya Hettige. The Chief Justice recused himself from hearing the case.

The Court of Appeal issued show cause on the Minister after several lawyers filed a contempt case against him on the charge that he had intimidated a judge of the Mannar District Court. Minister Badurdeen has appealed to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal order.

Romesh De Silva PC and Attorney at Law Sugath Caldera appeared for the petitioners while Faiz Mustapha PC, appeared for Badurdeen.

The case has been postponed till 18 March.