Mangalore, November 28: Justice M F Saldanha has termed the local court's decision to refuse bail to city based television journalist Naveen Soorinje as “failure of justice” on the part of the subordinate judicial officers.
Addressing a press conference convened by People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Karnataka, here on Wednesday, the former Karnataka High Court Judge stated that the judiciary which was supposed to safeguard the rights the law provides for had completely failed.
“When the anticipatory bail application was made, why was the application not heard? Is the judiciary doing its duty? It is time for action. There has got to be a full-stop to it or the media will not be allowed to function,” he said
Criticising the men in uniform for Mr Soorinje's arrest and confinement, he said that the journalist had been targeted by the police officials. The police unit has had the arrogance to attack the journalist fraternity by arresting a first rate reporter who was doing his job. Moreover, he was falsely projected as having been absconding by the police, he said.
Highlighting that action had been taken against police and judicial officers in the case of the two young women in Mumbai being taken into custody for posting a Facebook status, he said police were not immune to the consequences of the wrong acts on their part.
Justice Saldanha said that he would apprise the case and seek action with the Press Council of India, Karnataka High Court, National Human Rights Commission and also the State Government. The law and order in the coastal district is in a state of total breakdown. It is equally necessary to find the ones responsible for this and bring them to task. When the department of police and judiciary fails, it becomes necessary for others to intervene in such cases and take appropriate action, he said.
A legal notice has been sent by Justice Saldanha to the Police Commissioner of Mangalore urging him to name the police officials responsible for the unlawful arrest of Mr Soorinje within a time-period of 48 hours.
Suresh Bhat Bakrabail of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike urged members of the media to discuss the case in detail with Chairman of Press Council of India Justice Markandey Katju and request him that all accused in the case, including police officers were arrested.
PUCL state president P B D'Sa, vice-president Walter Maben, PUCL district president David D'Souza and secretary Roshan Lobo were present during the press conference.
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