David Pradeepan Saundaranayagam vs. Officer-in-Charge, Unit 5, Criminal Investigations Department – CA PHC/APN/159/19-2022

In the matter between David Pradeepan Saundaranayagam and the Officer-in-Charge, Unit 5, Criminal Investigation Department, among other parties, the court addressed the issue of whether Mercantile Investments and Finance PLC, as the “absolute owner,” was entitled to be heard fully on its preliminary objections, despite having allegedly failed to comply with procedural rules concerning the timely filing and service of statement of objections under the Court of Appeal (Appellate Procedure) Rules 1990. It was held that the delay in filing, largely attributed to interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, was justified under the circumstances. The court reaffirmed the principle that procedural rules are designed to serve the ends of justice and can be relaxed where excusable and adequately