Sivagurunadan Sathyaseelan vs Chief Inspector The Officer in Charge, Criminal Investigation Unit, Police Station, Peradeniya – CA BAIL/04/2022-2022

In the case between the Chief Inspector, Officer in Charge, Criminal Investigation Unit, Police Station, Peradeniya, and the suspect-petitioner Sivagurunadan Sathyaseelan, the court considered an application for bail under Section 10(1)(a) of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses Act No. 4 of 2015. The issue addressed was whether the petitioners were entitled to bail, considering the requirement for “exceptional circumstances” under the Act. The court held that although the seriousness of the allegations was established, the material presented, including the defense of alibi and the lack of substantial opposition by the prosecution beyond cell-tower evidence, justified granting bail with strict conditions. The order underscored the need to balance victim and w