Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition challenging the legality of the establishment of police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID).

Through the petition, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has also sought intervention of the Supreme Court to prevent his imminent arrest pending the conclusion of several purported investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Bribery Commission and FCID.

The respondents in the petition include the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary to the President, Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspect General of Police (Frauds and Corruption Investigative Division), Director of the CID, and the Attorney General.

This development follows summoning of Rajapaksa to the Bribery Commission on Monday. Hehas been summoned to FCID and CID later this week.