Victim appeals against police officer’s acquittal

The victim in the case in which Sub-Inspector Premalal Silva was acquitted and discharged after being accused of torture and forcing a TB patient to spit into the mouth of the victim, is to appeal against the judgment.

The victim in the case was Palitha Tissa Kumara. He had earlier filed a fundamental rights petition against the police officer.

The police officer was directed to pay the petitioner Tissa Kumara Rs. 5,000 personally with the State paying Rs. 20,000 as compensation and costs, after the officer was found guilty of violating the fundamental rights of the victim by torturing and subjecting him to inhuman and degrading treatment.

He was discharged of the allegation of illegal detention.

Kalutara High Court judge H.D.J.Perera acquitted and discharged the police officer as the two allegations against him could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Attorney-at-law Dulinda Weerasuriya and Vajira Asarappuli were appointed on behalf of the victim to watch his interests.