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The petitioner had submitted that due to media pressure, the government "without applying its mind" had withdrawn the case against Sooringe.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The petitioner had submitted that due to media pressure, the government "without applying its mind" had withdrawn the case against Sooringe.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