Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 2: The state high court (HC) has lifted the Goonda Act the police commissioner had invoked against Manjoj, a resident of Kodikere near Kulai, Suratkal here. Manoj faces seral petty cases including one which accuses him of assaulting city corporator, Pratibha Kulai.

Manoj had been brought under the purview of Goonda Act presumably under political pressure. He was arrested on October 29 last year and kept in Parappana Agrahara Jail at Bengaluru. After his arrest, Hindu Jagran Vedike, of which Manoj is a leader, had organized protests in the city and Suratkal, alleging that Goonda Act had been used in the case of Manoj on political grounds.

Seeking exemption for Manoj from the provisions of the said act, a petition was filed by the city-based advocate, Kishore Kumar, in the state high court, pointing out that Manoj did not face any serious cases which would have attracted the provisions of this act. The high court, which heard the petition, through a verdict dated April 27, ordered lifting of Goonda Act imposed on Manoj.

Manoj was released from jail on Friday, and he arrived at Suratkal on the same night. Hindu Jagran Vedike activists led by Satyajit Suratkal celebrated his release by bursting crackers upon his arrival.