The Citizens Forum for Mangalore Development has urged the State government to appeal the verdit j on the 2009 pub attack case in Mangaluru.

On Monday, the Second Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Mangaluru acquitted Sri Rama Sene chief Pramod Muthalik and 25 others who were among the 30 accused in the pub attack case in Mangaluru in 2009. Of the remaining accused, two died during the course of the trial and two are absconding and the case is pending against them.

According to the charge sheet, young men and women at a pub in Mangaluru were attacked at night on January 24, 2009.

In a statement here, Vidya Dinker, coordinator of the forum, said the verdict was totally unexpected and the forum had been hoping for the stringent punishment for the guilty.

“We demand that the State government take measures to immediately go in appeal against the judgement and make every effort possible to prove the guilt of the accused and ensure punishment to them,” the statement said.

The acquittal of the accused will send a wrong message to society that criminals can get away scot-free, it said, adding that young citizens who are picking up the courage to speak out against goons will be forced into silence again.

 

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