Ramalingam Ranjan vs. Hon. Sanjay Rajaratnam and Others – CA WRIT/437-2022-2023

In the case between Ramalingam Ranjan (petitioner’s attorney, human rights activist) and Hon. Sanjay Rajaratnam (Attorney General) and others, the court addressed the issue of whether a writ of mandamus should be issued to compel law enforcement authorities to take specific actions against the 4th respondent in connection with alleged failures during incidents of violence following peaceful protests at “MainaGoGama” and “GotaGoGama.” It was held that the discretionary powers conferred upon law enforcement preclude the existence of a mandatory public duty enforceable by mandamus. The legal principle reaffirmed is that writs of mandamus may not be granted in matters involving discretion rather than mandatory legal duties. The decision relied on statutory interpretation and established case p