Application for Bail – A.M. Darshi Nawaratna v. Officer in Charge, Special Investigations Unit, et al. – CA MC-RV/01/16-2016

In the case of A.M. Darshi Nawaratna (on behalf of Udaya Kumara Dissanayake, 10th Accused-Respondent) v. Officer in Charge, Special Investigations Unit, and Hon. Attorney General, the court examined whether the 10th accused, charged with conspiracy to deface or destroy an antiquity under Section 15B of the Antiquities Act (read with Sections 113b, 102 Penal Code) and for aiding and abetting the same, should be released on bail by revising an earlier order of the Magistrate, Vavuniya. The principal legal issue was whether conspiracy and aiding and abetting constitute distinct offences independent of the Antiquities Act or are offences under it. The court held that exceptional circumstances, specifically the deteriorating health of the accused and near completion of the prosecution, justifie