Homestay attack mastermind to be booked under Goonda Act: Ashoka

DHNS

Bangalore, 04 Aug 2012: Home Minister R Ashoka on Saturday said that the mastermind behind the attack on the youth at the ‘Morning Mist’ homestay in Mangalore on July 28 would be booked under the Goonda Act.

 
Ashoka told reporters that he had directed the police to show no mercy in dealing with people creating tension in society through such acts.

 

“We have already arrested 15 of the total 23 accused in the case. Booking the mastermind under the Goonda Act will send a strong message to people who intend to pose a threat to peace and harmony in society. It will also be a warning to people who have the habit of misbehaving with women,” he said.

 
On July 30, Ashoka had told the Legislative Council that the State government would book the accused in the homestay attack case under the Goonda Act, and he would not show any mercy to anybody while taking action.

 
Prime suspect

 
Subhash Padil, the prime accused, has already been arrested by the Mangalore police.
ADGP Bipin Gopalakrishna said the final report on the homestay attack would be submitted to the State government within three days.

 
“We have already submitted the interim report to the government. Once the final report is submitted, the same will be presented before the High Court as a related PIL is pending before the court,” he said.

 
‘Police not at fault’

 
When questioned about the statement by C Manjula, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, that failure and negligence of the Dakshina Kannada police led to the attack, Ashoka said there was no question of failure.
 

“Within eight hours of the attack on the homestay, police arrested eight of the accused. The investigation is progressing well,” he said.