The 3rd JMFC court has acquitted all 26 suspects involved in 2009 Mangaluru "pub attack", citing lack of evidence.
On January 24, 2009, members Hindu vigilante groups attacked the pub and allegedly assaulted youths, including girls, stating that going to pubs was against Indian culture. Accordingly, cases were registered against activists, including Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik.
Owing to lack of evidence, judge Manjunath acquitted all the 26 suspects. Advocates Asha Nayak and Vinod Kumar had argued for the suspects.
Muthalik told reporters after the judgement that it was a victory for truth.
The incident had made national as well as international headlines. It had also attracted widespread criticism.
After the verdict, members of Sri Rama Sene celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets at Arya Samaj.
Speaking on the occasion, Muthalik accused the BJP government of deliberately booking him in the pub attack case. "During the time of the attack, I was in Maharashtra and returned two days later. The police arrested me and put me behind bars for a few days."
"If some BJP workers attack someone, can you arrest BJP president B S Yeddyurappa? Or if Congress workers were to carry out an attack, will you send Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to jail?" he asked.
"The BJP wanted to defame me. I will discuss with my lawyers and consider filing a defamation case," he said.
He said it was wrong on the part of the activists to assault girls during the attack.
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