Naveen Soorinje gets bail ; release likely in couple of days

Naveen Soorinje gets bail ; release likely in couple of days

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Mar 18, 2013: In a welcome development, the High Court, on March 18, Monday has granted bail to Kasturi channel reporter Naveen Soorinje. The bail was granted on a surety bond of Rs 5 lakh and on the condition that evidence should not be destroyed. Sources said Soorinje is likely to be released in another two days.

Soorinje, the 44th accused in the homestay attack case, was arrested on November 7 and since then has been behind bars. The JMFC Court and even the High Court had earlier  rejected his bail pleas. Though the High Court had once stayed the FIR against him,  no effort was subsequently made to release him.

A letter written by Vijaykumar, one of the victims in the Morning Mist attack  case  to the Press Council of India stating that Naveen had no role in the attack and that the police had arrested him to cover up their inefficiencies, was produced before the court during the hearing on March 18. Even Vijaykumar had appeared as a witness.

It may be recalled here that the government though has promised to drop all charges against Naveen Soorinje, has until now not done so. There are reports that the government is under pressure from the RSS which wants cases to be dropped against other accused to.