Officer in Charge vs Thangavelu Chandran – SC APPEAL NO.118/2010-2023

In the case between The Officer in Charge, Crimes Investigation Division, Police Station, Badulla and the Hon. Attorney General, Attorney General’s Department, Colombo 12 (Plaintiff/Complainant) and Thangavelu Chandran, Kande Naidalage Sumith, and Jayaweera Mudiyanselage Gunathilaka (Defendants/Accused), the court addressed whether evidence of witnesses was led contrary to Section 192 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.15 of 1979, the acquittal of all accused on specific counts, and the propriety of conducting the trial in the absence of the third Accused-Appellant. It was held that the trial proceedings were proper despite the Appellant’s absence, as adequate procedural safeguards and prior notice were established. The Court affirmed that conviction on Count 1 under Section 140 of the Penal