Fernando v. O.I.C. Marawila Police Station – sllr 1982 volume 1 page 400

In the case between Romulis Fernando (appellant) and the Officer in Charge of Marawila Police Station (respondent), the court addressed whether the Magistrate’s failure to record evidence before charging the accused vitiated the proceedings under the Administration of Justice Law. It was held that the absence of a statement prior to charging did not invalidate the process, as the proceedings were considered duly instituted when the accused was produced as a suspect and a written report was filed. The decision confirmed that procedural regularity under section 75(1) of the Administration of Justice Law was maintained, and affirmed the principle that the filing of a written report constitutes the lawful commencement of proceedings. The ruling relied on statutory interpretation and relevant j