Mangalore, March 18, 2013
The high court granted bail to journalist Naveen Soorinje of the notorious home stay attack incident of Mangalore today, March 18, 2013, which has come as a huge relief to the journalist who spent nearly five months in the jail. He was granted bail on a surety bond of Rs 5 lac and on the condition that he should not attempt to destroy any evidence in the case.
Soorinje was one of the 44 accused in the incident and was arrested in Novemeber last for his failure to inform the authorities concerned and prevent the attack.
His bail comes in the wake of one of the victims of the attack Vijayakumar writing a letter to the Press Council of India alleging that Soorinje was falsely accused to camouflage the inefficiency of the police force. Vijaykumar who also appeared as a witness during the hearing stated that Soorinje’s name was falsely implicated as an accused whereas he actually tried to protect the victims.
What worked in favour of Soorinje is the fact that the video footage of the incident did not show Naveen Soorinje taking part in the attack.
It may be recalled Media persons and organizations were trying for his release since his arrest. Some journalists even went on a hunger strike demanding his quick release. His bail petitions were rejected by JMFC court and despite a stay order on the FIR against him he was not released. Subsequently the high court also rejected him bail.
Now that Soorinje has succeeded in getting bail from high court he might walk out of the district jail soon.
