Home stay attack: Court discharges journalist Naveen Soorinje from all charges

News Network
December 5, 2018

Mangaluru, Dec 5: In a huge relief for journalist-activist Naveen Soorinje, who was accused of not trying to stop the assailants during 2012 Manglauru home stay attack, the local sessions court has discharged him from all charges.

The development comes nearly five years after the State government led by the then-chef minister Siddaramaiah decided to withdraw the case against Mr Soorinje, who was made accused no. 44 in the case.

Mr Soorinje, who was a then a television reporter and Sharan, a cameraman had filmed and exposed the alleged assault and sexual harassment of young men and women by Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists at Morning Mist homestay in Padil on July 20, 2012.

Based on the complaint by one of the victims, the police arrested 44 persons, including Mr Soorinje and Mr Sharan, who were lodged in the prison for a few weeks. After the police filed charge-sheet, the government decided to withdraw the case against Mr Soorinje.

Soon after, the public prosecutor filed an application under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code for withdrawal of prosecution against Mr. Soorinje before the 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court in the city. The judge sought objections of other accused on the application and adjourned the hearing for several dates. Meanwhile, the case was transferred from the 2nd Additional Court to the 6th Additional District and Sessions Court in February 2016.

As the accused failed to file their objections, the judge heard arguments of Mr. Soorinje’s counsel Dinesh Hegde Ullepady and of the prosecutor Judith O.M. Crasta on December 21, 2017. The judge discharged Mr. Soorinje from the case on January 4, 2018.

Comments

Sruti Kotian
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018

Its always controvercial. Journalist should do thier duty or try to prevent such actions.

Suresh
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018

True.. Late but it's a great relief for him. 

Joseph Stalin
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018

Those who tried to do a good thing also now crime partner. If they didnt do such things, police, court wont get any proofs

Vinod
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Dec 2018

Poor man. HJV trapped him. If he didnt shot and expose the sexual harrasement, there were no proofs against HJV

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News Network
June 26,2020

Belthangady, Jun 26: Thieves broke into a house at Kalmanja village in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada during the wee hours on Friday and decamped with cash and valuables worth Rs 13 lakhs after tying the inmates of an areca merchant's house.

Police said the stolen valuables include 40 sovereigns gold, one kg silver and cash of Rs 25,000. The robbery took place in the house of Achyut Bhat who is an areca merchant in Ujire.

The house inmates opened the door after hearing dogs barking. Immediately the criminals, wearing masks, barged into the house and threatening to kill tied them before escaping with the booty.

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News Network
May 1,2020

Bengaluru, May 1: Karnataka has reported 11 new cases of coronavirus, taking the State's count to 576, informed the Health Department on Friday.

Out of the total COVID-19 cases found in the State, 235 people have been discharged and 22 people have died.

"11 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Karnataka from April 30, 5 pm till noon today, taking the total number of cases to 576, which includes 22 deaths and 235 discharges," said the State government COVID-19 bulletin.

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News Network
February 12,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 12: Hinting at the possibility of a consolidation of ex-Janata Parivar leaders, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda said Tuesday his party was open to talk to any former Janata leaders, who are at present either in various factions of the Janata Dal or in Congress and BJP. The veteran leader also appreciated Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP's way of work.

At the party's National Executive Committee meeting held here, Gowda said that some ex-Janata Parivar leaders had reached out to him in this regard. His comments come at a time when JD(U) leader Mahima Patel recently rekindled the debate of a unified Janata Parivar.

However, Deve Gowda was clear that he was not interested in pursuing anyone who was happy with the party they were in. "It's a waste of time to pursue someone who has seen success within their party. I am not going to do that. I am willing to persuade only those who are not holding any office at present," he said. He added that he had already asked party leaders in Kerala to take the initiative and figure out ways to bring leaders together. As for other places, it would take him some time to reach out people, he added.

The party, which organised the National Executive Meet here on February 10 and 11, spoke of strategies to rejuvenate the party from the grassroots level. The party is also conducting a membership drive.

'Much to learn from AAP'

There is much to learn from Aam Aadmi Party, which registered a victory in Delhi elections on Tuesday, said Devegowda. "Kejriwal has showed that caste does not matter. There is lesson to be learnt from the work done by AAP," he said. Later in the day, Deve Gowda also wrote a letter to Arvind Kejriwal, congratulating him on his victory.

On the occasion, the party also came up with resolutions to urge the central government to release pending amount of GST it owed to state governments apart from focusing on development of labour, industries and agriculture; to demand the centre to rollback decision on CAA, NRC and NPR and to urge the centre to pass the women's reservation bill.

At the JD(S) National Executive Meet, even as news poured in about the victory of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi elections, the JD(S) leaders celebrated Arvind Kejriwal's victory. Seeing it as an optimistic sign for regional parties across the country, the leaders distributed sweets to mark the hat trick win of Kejriwal.

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