The Supreme Court has invalidated former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to release Mohamed Ameen Mohamed Naseem, who was serving a 29-month prison sentence for failing to pay maintenance to his wife.

The court directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to take the necessary legal steps to enforce the original sentence imposed by the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

The ruling followed a fundamental rights petition filed by Naseem’s wife, with the court finding that the clemency granted to him violated the constitutional right to equality and equal protection of the law.