Muthalik, 24 others acquitted in 2009 Mangaluru pub attack case for want of evidence

Mangaluru, Mar 12: In what can be termed as a setback for the victims of 2009 Mangaluru pub attack, which had tarnished the image of the coastal city internally, a local court has acquitted 25 of the 30 accused in the case due to lack of evidence.

The activists of Sri Ram Sena celebrated victory on Monday in the city after the Third JMFC Court Judge Manjunath pronounced the much awaited verdict. “I am happy. The truth has prevailed,” responded Pramod Muthalik, the chief of Sri Ram Sena, who was also acquitted from the case.

Around 30 accused had faced trail in the case. While two of the remaining five accused are dead, trial is pending against the other three who have left the country. Advocates Asha Nayak and Vinod had argued on their behalf. 27 persons had testified as witnesses in the case.

On 24 January 2009, around three dozens of miscreants, said to be activists of Sri Ram Sena barged into the pub ‘Amnesia – The Lounge’ in the heart of the city and beat up a group of young women and men, claiming the women were violating traditional Indian values.

Two of the women were hospitalised. The video of the incident has become one of the most watched clips on YouTube, though how the TV crew happened to be ready at the 'unannounced' attack is not known.