8 attackers, TV crew booked

Police escorting the victims soon after the incident Mangalore near Padil on Saturday night. DH photo

Eight persons have been arrested and booked in connection with the attack on partygoers at a homestay in Mangalore on Saturday. Ban orders have been clamped in Mangalore city limits for three days from Sunday. 

Rajesh, Taranath, Subhash, Ganesh, Sharath, Venugopal, Sandeep Shetty and Gangadhar have been booked under  Sections 143, 147, 148, 447, 448, 323, 324, 504, 506, 354, 385 of the IPC and Sections  2(A) and 2(B) of the Karnataka Prevention of Destruction of Property Act, said State Additional Director General of Police Bipin Gopalakrishna.

They have been booked on the charges of assault, outraging the modesty of a girl, criminal intimidation, being the part of unlawful activity, dacoity among others. 

“We have booked the assaulters for committing serious offences so that stern action could be taken against them. The other attackers who are absconding too will be arrested soon,” he said. 

The ADGP, who inspected the homestay on Sunday said no immoral or illegal activities were taking place in the homestay at the time of the incident and the police found only a few bottles of beer and coca-cola and food at the spot after the search. 

The gang of 15-20 men barged into the homestay where five girls and nine boys were celebrating a birthday, he said. The men attacked the students and damaged the property, he added.

To a query he said, Subhash who led the gang identified himself as a member of Hindu Jagarana Vedike, while the rest have not revealed their association with any fundamental outfits. 

Subhash has claimed that they had visited the homestay to stage protest, but resorted to attack when the situation went out of their ‘control,’ said the ADGP.

Reporters and cameramen of a regional and a local television channels have also been booked in connection with the incident, Gopalakrishna said. 

“It is said that two TV reporters and cameramen who accompanied the attackers to the homestay failed to alert the police. They have been booked for being a part of unlawful activity. However, further action will be taken against them only after hearing their version,” he said.

He also promised to take action against the police personnel who are accused of failing to perform their duty during the incident.