Politics · India Bureau
Sri Lankan court denies arrest warrants for Indian film directors in graft case
A Colombo magistrate has declined to issue arrest warrants against two Indian film directors in a bribery investigation linked to a defunct hotel project. The decision comes as Sri Lankan Opposition leader Namal Rajapaksa remains in custody over alleged involvement in the 2013 bribery scheme.
LSN India ·
The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court rejected a request to issue arrest warrants for the two Indian directors, citing insufficient evidence to proceed against them in the case. The decision marks a setback in the investigation into allegations involving a stalled hotel development project that dates back over a decade.
Opposition leader Namal Rajapaksa is currently in remand custody in connection with the same bribery allegations. Authorities have alleged that illicit payments were made in relation to the hotel venture, which ultimately did not materialise.
The magistrate's findings suggest that while the investigation against Rajapaksa has advanced to the stage of remand custody, the evidence gathered has not met the threshold required to take similar action against the Indian nationals involved. The court's decision underscores the varying strength of evidence against different parties named in the investigation.
The case remains ongoing, with further developments expected as the investigation continues into the alleged corruption related to the 2013 transaction. Legal proceedings against Rajapaksa are expected to proceed separately.