In a setback to Gen Sarath Fonseka's freedom bid, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court today refused to order the release of the ex-army chief arrested on conspiracy charges, saying a military enquiry was pending against him.
An apex court bench comprising Justices Shirani Bandaranayake, Jagath Balapatabendi and K Sripavan, however, allowed his immediate family members and lawyers access to Fonseka, who was the joint opposition candidate in the January 26 Presidential polls and was defeated by incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The development came in response to a fundamental rights petition filed by 59-year-old Fonseka through his wife Anoma, seeking his immediate release from custody.
While refusing to order the release of Fonseka, the Supreme Court observed that a military enquiry was pending against the former army chief. It scheduled the next hearing for April 26.
The petition challenging the arrest of Fonseka was admitted by the apex court on February 12. It sought freedom from torture, arbitrary arrest and detention.
