Bangalore:
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of notices to the government and the CBI Director on a public interest litigation seeking a probe by the central agency into the July 28 attack on students partying at a home-stay in Mangalore by suspected activists of a Hindu outfit.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen also ordered issue of notices to the Home Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Mangalore Rural, among the respondents, when the petition came up for hearing.
Petitioner S Vasudeva, an advocate, alleged women had been molested and their modesty outraged while police were a "silent spectator, which is a shame on the state", to which Justice Sen said "a lot of us also hang our heads in shame".
The court directed the government to file its status report in seven days and "disclose the identity of the man in blue together with the account of the alleged role he played and the action initiated against him" and adjourned the matter till two weeks.
The petitioner also sought a writ of mandamus to the government to invoke the Goondas Act against the perpetrators of physical violence on the girls and boys at the homestay.
He also sought a direction to the government to monitor the investigation from time to time till the chargesheet is filed by the investigative agency, state police or CBI.
Over 12 students, including girls, partying on the outskirts of Mangalore, were targetted by suspected activists of 'Hindu Jagarana Vedike' on July 28, who accused them of indulging in "immoral activities".
The attack drew widespread condemnation with the government promising to punish those involved. Twelve persons have been arrested so far in connection with the attack.