Mangaluru court finds photos, videos insufficient to convict Hindutva activists in assault case
text_fields
A court in Mangaluru, Karnataka, has found the evidence, including the photographs and videos of the accused, insufficient to prove their involvement in the assault and harassment of 13 college students at a city homestay over 12 years ago by members of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike while acquitting them.
The Sixth Additional District and Sessions Judge SV Kantharaju ruled that the evidence presented was insufficient to convict the accused, who included Subash Padil, leader of the Hindu Jagaran Vedike, and 38 of his associates.
The incident occurred on July 28, 2012, when 13 students were at the Morning Mist homestay, located about 500 meters from Padil Junction, to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The gathering was abruptly interrupted when a group of 40 Hindutva activists, led by Padil, stormed the homestay around 6 pm.
The activists were alleged to have assaulted the students, with the attack being captured on film by three journalists.
The Mangaluru Police initiated an investigation based on footage broadcast by journalist Naveen Soorinje. The victims were taken to a police station and subsequently to a hospital for medical treatment. Among them was the daughter of a former inspector with the Lokayukta Police.
The assailants were also accused of inappropriate behaviour towards the women in the group, including tearing their clothes and forcing them to sit with a male friend who was bare-chested while filming and photographing them. The victims claimed that the circulation of these images led to significant mental trauma.
Initially, 44 people were arrested in connection with the case, including journalists Soorinje and Sharanraj. However, Soorinje was discharged from the case in January 2018. Three of the accused have since died, and one minor was acquitted by the Juvenile Justice Board.
Ultimately, 39 men faced trial. In court, a complainant and one female victim identified the assailants, but other students could not. Despite the prosecution's submission of photographs and videos, the court found the evidence insufficient to secure convictions.