HC notice to govt for dropping case against journalist

The High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to State Government in connection with a petition challenging the State cabinet’s decision to drop charges against Naveen Soorinje, a private channel reporter, arrested in the case pertaining to attack on a home stay in Mangalore.

Hearing a petition by N P Amruthesh, City-based advocate and party in person, seeking to stay the Cabinet decision, the Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice K Sreedhar Rao and Justice Abdul Nazeer ordered the issue of notice.

The petitioner said the State government’s decision was against the law.

Pointing out that bypassing criminal proceedings, the State government was indirectly encouraging goonda elements and those who had no respect or fear of the law, the petitioner said that the decision would create an impression among the public that one can get away easily after committing a crime.

“Withdrawing the case against him is not in public interest. It (decision) is aimed at getting publicity in the media during the ensuing Assembly elections,” the petition said.
He also submitted that the State had succumbed to the media lobby and decided to withdraw the cases against the reporter, which was an act of “non-application of mind.”

The petitioner stated that the Mangalore district and sessions judge had dismissed Soorinje’s bail plea on November 27, 2012 and the High Court too has dismissed his bail application on December 26, 2012 with an observation that the accused had indulged in bench hunting and sought a stay on the proceedings stating that he has been booked under various charges including dacoity, criminal intimidation, abetment of crime and other cases.

The Division Bench had refused to stay the matter, but ordered notice and orally said that if the government drops the charges, the court will revive the cases.