The Supreme Court has ordered the Inspector General of Police to establish a committee to formulate a regulatory framework for Police officers to follow when conducting inquiries into disputes.
The Supreme Court gave this direction as part of an interim order when an incident where a senior police officer obstructed an Attorney-at-Law from performing his duties was taken up in court.
The petitioner has said he visited the Boralesgamuwa Police to represent his client being held there. Senior Superintendent of Police K.S.K Rupasinghe allegedly demanded that he step out of the room. The petitioner refused to do so. After considering the submissions made in court by all counsel, the Supreme Court directed the Inspector General of Police to put in place a legally enforceable regulatory framework
(a) With regard to the conduct of inquiries in disputes between parties.
(b) Ensure that the individuals involved in such inquiry are entitled to be represented by lawyers of choice.
(c) Ensure that lawyers are given an opportunity to make representations and represent their clients who are interviewed or being arrested by the police.
The Supreme Court further ordered the Inspector General of Police to conduct an independent, impartial and comprehensive inquiry into the incident involving the petitioner and Senior Superintendent of Police K.S.K Rupasinghe, and to report to court on the actions taken in this regard.