Karnataka Govt drops criminal charges against TV reporter

Bangalore, 31 Jan 2013 (PTI): Karnataka government today decided to withdraw a criminal case filed against a reporter of a private regional television channel in connection with an attack on young revellers by right-wing activists at a Mangalore homestay.

 

The state cabinet that met here decided to drop the criminal charges against Naveen Soorinje, who is still under judicial custody since his arrest in November last year.

 

"The cabinet has decided to drop all charges against Soorinje," Law Minister S Suresh Kumar told reporters.

 

During July 28 last year, Hindu Jagarana Vedike activists had raided a homestay in Mangalore and attacked boys and girls who were celebrating the birthday of one of their friends.

 

The reporter had covered the incident. He, however, was booked on the same charges as the rest of the accused in the home stay attack.

 

Various journalist associations have been demanding withdrawal of cases filed against the scribe.