Susendran vs. Attorney General and Another – sllr 2020 volume 1 page 120

In the case between Susendran and the Attorney General, the court addressed the issue of whether bail should be granted under Section 83(1) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance in “exceptional circumstances,” considering the accused-petitioners faced life imprisonment and prolonged pre-trial detention. It was held that the grounds advanced, including prolonged detention and contested allegations of flight risk, did not amount to exceptional circumstances warranting release on bail. The principle reaffirmed is that exceptional circumstances under the applicable Ordinance require more than commonly advanced arguments such as delayed proceedings or disputed investigations, particularly where the risk of absconding is inherent to the offence charged. The decision relied on prece