A lawyer from Colombo, Chinthamani Mohotti, has complained to the Supreme Curt that he was abused in public, in foul language by the officer-in-charge of the Bambalapitiya police station on October 28, 2008.

He had gone with a client against whom a complaint had been lodged. The OIC had chased away both the client and the lawyer. The OIC had said that he would get the black coat of the lawyer removed.

The petitioner complained of degrading arbitrary treatment and a denial of the right to engage in the lawful occupation of choice.

The petition was supported by Sanjeewa Jayewardene. Leave to proceed was granted. Hearing was fixed for February 25, 2008. The bench comprised, Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice K. Sripavan and Justice P. A. Ratnayake.

The first respondent is OIC Bambalapitiya police, Upali Seneviratne.