SC bars police from seeking bank account details

Except of suspected subversives by Chitra WeerarathneThe Supreme Court yesterday directed the Police Department to refrain from seeking details of a person’s bank account, unless that particular person or a family member was subjected to a specific investigation in respect of cordon and search operations in Colombo and the suburbs.
Any breach of this direction by any Police officer should be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court by the harassed party. The Court made the order after the Ceylon Workers’ Congress complained that the Police had been calling for a declaration of bank accounts held by certain persons whose premises had been searched by Police personnel.

The Court also directed the Police that in keeping persons under detention the time limits specified in Emergency Regulations should not be exceeded

M. A. Sumanthiran appeared for the complainants.

The Additional Solicitor General Palitha Fernando PC appeared for the Attorney General.

The Bench comprised the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justice N. G. Amaratunga and Justice K. Siripavan.