Supreme Court Justice de Abrew arrested over assault, granted bail

Sri Lanka Police yesterday arrested a Supreme Court Judge who was accused of assaulting a female domestic aide employed in his household.

Following the announcement that the Attorney General has given the go-ahead to arrest the apex Court Judge, Justice Sarath de Abrew surrendered to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court.

Mount Lavinia Magistrate granted bail to Justice de Abrew when he was produced in the Court and released him on personal bail of Rs. 500,000.

The Judge was also ordered to cooperate with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and make a statement, the Police said.

Earlier the Judge has refused to give a statement to the Police and the Police on the instructions of Inspector General of Police have handed over the investigation to Criminal Investigation Department (CID). 

The victim employed as a housemaid at the residence of the Judge has lodged a complaint in the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on 26 June claiming that she was pistol-whipped on her head by the Judge on several occasions. The woman’s injuries included a fractured skull. She was admitted to hospital as an emergency.

The Attorney General after reviewing the report of the Judicial Medical Officer and the psychiatrist who examined the maid following the alleged assault gave permission to CID to proceed with the arrest over the alleged assault.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka demanded that Chief Justice K. Sripavan suspend the Supreme Court Judge until the investigation against him is over.