Justice Sarath De Abrew indicted for sexual assault

Files have been filed to indict Supreme Court Justice (SC) Sarath de Abrew by the Attorney General (AG), for allegedly sexually assaulting a female domestic helper employed at his residence under Section 365 (B) of the Penal Code.

A housemaid who was employed in Abrew's house lodged a complaint earlier this year alleging that he assaulted her. She was admitted to Kalubowila Hospital following the alleged attack.

This is the first instance a sitting Supreme Court Justice has been indicted in the High Court on a criminal charge.

It is also reported that Justice De Abrew had sent his retirement papers in October to be effective from January, next year, informed sources said.