Dissan vs Subehamy – clr volume 2 page 142

In Dissan v. Subehamy, the court examined whether, in a prosecution for mischief under section 408 of the Ceylon Penal Code, it is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the accused intended or knew that wrongful loss or damage would occur to a particular known individual, or whether it is sufficient to show a willful and deliberate act with respect to property that naturally has an owner. It was held that such an act is sufficient to meet the required intent or knowledge, reaffirming the principle that proof of a specific intended victim is unnecessary where the act relates to property inherently belonging to someone. Reliance was placed on statutory interpretation of section 408, clarifying that the focus remains on the willful nature of the act rather than identification of a parti