The Karnataka High Court today granted bail to a regional TV channel reporter, who was arrested in connection with the attack on some youngsters suspected of indulging in undesirable activities at a homestay in Mangalore last year.

Allowing the criminal petition filed by Naveen Sooringe, Justice K Sreedhar Rao granted bail on a surety bond of Rs five lakh, but imposed no other conditions. Sooringe's bail petition was earlier dismissed by the district court in Mangalore and also the High Court last year.

On Feb 6 this year, Karnataka High Court had ordered issue of notices to the government and Sooringe on a PIL challenging the withdrawal of case against him in connection with the attack in an act of moral policing.

The division bench, headed by then acting Chief Justice K Sreedhar Rao, had ordered issue of notices to the state government and Sooringe on a PIL filed by advocate Amruthesh M P seeking revoking of the the cabinet decision to withdraw the case against Sooringe.

The petitioner had submitted that due to media pressure, the government "without applying its mind" had withdrawn the case against Sooringe.

He had contended that there are 44 accused in the case and withdrawal of the case only against Sooringe was "illegal and against Article 14 of the Constitution".

On Jan 31, 2013, the cabinet had decided to withdraw the case against Sooringe, who is in judicial custody since his arrest on August 27, 2012.