By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

Parliament, Dec. 4 (Daily Mirror)- Some lawyers who have been retained by MP Rishad Bathiudeen had exerted undue influence on a judge who was hearing one of his cases, Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksha alleged in Parliament today.

“MP Bathiudeen ‘s lawyers have influenced Judge Nawaz who was finally hearing the Wilpattu case. The junior who worked for a lawyer, who was retained by the MP for the Wilpattu case had phoned Judge Navaz and had informed that his senior had wanted to talk with him. The senior lawyer had then talked to the judge and had told him to conclude the case as soon as possible,” Minister Rajapaksha said.

“Judge Nawaz had taken over the hearing after judges Janak Silva, Samyawardene and Lasantha Kodagoda opted out without hearing the case. I don’t want to reveal the reason behind the  withdrawal of Kodagoda,” he added.

“It was sad to note MP Bathiudeen cursing a judge,” he also said.

MP Bathiudeen who responded said he will make a special statement on the issue tomorrow.