Bangalore: State ministry decides to withdraw case against Soorinje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Jun 14: The state cabinet which met on Thursday June 13, decided to withdraw a criminal case standing against Kasturi TV journalist, Naveen Soorinje. Soorinje, who was arrested on November 7, 2012 in connection with the infamous Homestay attack case in Mangalore, was released on bail on March 23 this year.
A case under different sections relating to indecent portrayal of women, abetment of offences like outraging modesty of women, dacoity, etc was slapped on Soorinje by the policemen. Sharan, a Sahaya TV cameraman, was also accused of these offences.
After his bail pleas got repeatedly rejected, the state High Court had granted bail to Naveen Soorinje on March 18 this year.
Law minister, T B Jayachandra, said that the meeting also gave its nod to bring 110 more services falling under various departments under the ‘Sakala’ scheme of the state government. He added that the meeting gave its consent to a draft bill to bring amendments to Civil Services Act – 1957 to help curb sexual harassment of women in government offices.
Among several other things, the meeting also decided to dismiss deputy controller in the department of legal metrology, C M Mallikarjuna, who was raided by the Lokayukta, from service, it is learnt.
It may be noted that advocate M P Amruthesh had filed a public interest litigation in the state high court on February 6, challenging the state cabinet's January 31 decision to withdraw case standing against Soorinje. One of the reasons cited in the petition was that none of the courts had entertained the bail plea filed by the journalist. But the state High Court had, based on an affidavit that Soorinje was not involved with illegal activities at the venue, granted bail to him thereafter.
It also transpired that the then chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, had not signed the final order in consonance with the cabinet decision to withdraw case against Soorinje, and hence the proposal was put up afresh.