Update, 25 September: The Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court further remanded Basik’s father until 8 October when the case was taken up. Details below.
Abdul Razak Mohamed Basik, father of detained drug trafficker Shiran Basik, was remanded until 25 September, a day after his arrest over a Gampaha apartment.
He was remanded after being produced before court, NewsFirst reported at 3.08pm.
The allegation
Razak is accused of purchasing a house worth Rs. 30 million in an apartment complex in Gampaha. He had been summoned to the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Police Central Crime Investigation Bureau to account for the source of the funds used to buy the property, and was arrested on Friday.
Police have said the apartment was bought by Shiran Basik in his father’s name.
The two outlets name different courts
NewsFirst says Razak was produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court No. 2. Hiru News says the order came from the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, and describes the arrest as being on money laundering charges.
Both agree on the remand date and on the substance of the case. The discrepancy is in the court named, and neither outlet flags it; readers should treat the specific court as unconfirmed.
Update, 25 September: remand extended to 8 October
When the case was taken up for hearing on 25 September, the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court ordered Basik’s father further remanded until 8 October, Hiru News reported. Hiru names a third court in this case — Hulftsdorp — where the earlier filings gave Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court No. 2 and the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Hiru adds that investigators have taken steps to name Sampath Aththatage as a suspect in the case, and that the court issued a travel ban against him. Hiru does not say what connection Aththatage is alleged to have to the apartment purchase or to Shiran Basik, and no other outlet has carried the name. It should not be read as an alternative name for Basik’s father, who is named by NewsFirst and Hiru’s own earlier filing as Abdul Razak Mohamed Basik.
No outlet reports whether charges have been filed or what the 8 October hearing will cover.
Context
The inquiry into Shiran Basik’s assets has widened steadily since he was returned from Dubai in August. Investigators have reviewed his bank accounts and hotel interests, and questioned two political figures in the course of that work.
Not reported
Neither report says what charges Razak faces, whether bail was sought or refused, whether the apartment has been seized or frozen, or whether he is alleged to have known the source of the money.
