Tokhirova Tukhtabanu alias Jesmin v. The Attorney General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – CA PHC/APN-128/20-2021

In Attorney General of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka v. Tokhirova Tukhtabanu alias Jesmin, the court addressed the entitlement to bail pending appeal for a petitioner convicted of human trafficking offenses. The primary issue concerned whether “exceptional circumstances” were established, as required by Sri Lankan law, to justify granting bail pending appeal, and whether delays in seeking revision due to COVID-19 restrictions could activate legal exemptions. The court determined that neither the medical evidence presented nor the family hardship claimed constituted exceptional circumstances. Misleading documentation, including unrelated medical reports, and a prior undisclosed conviction were highlighted as factors undermining the application. The revision was dismissed, r