Mohamed Abdullah Siththi Ramsa vs The Officer-in-Charge Police Station, Modera and The Attorney General – CA Bail/0264/23-2023

In the case between the Petitioner (on behalf of the Accused, M. I. M. Yoosuf) and the Officer-in-Charge of the Modera Police Station, along with the Attorney General’s Department and Complainant-Respondents, the court examined whether bail should be granted under exceptional circumstances to an Accused charged with possession of a substantial quantity of heroin and held in remand custody for approximately five years without trial. It was held that a prolonged period in remand, particularly when coupled with considerations such as the presumption of innocence and potential violations of fundamental rights, could amount to exceptional circumstances warranting bail. Reference was made to relevant statutes, including Section 83 of the amended Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and