40 accused have been acquitted in the infamous Mangaluru 'homestay attack' case of 2012. The sixth additional district and sessions court of Mangaluru gave this verdict on Tuesday. Actually, due to a lack of evidence, the court ordered the acquittal of the accused.

The police had registered a case against 44 people in this regard. Three of them died during the hearing, while the government dropped the charges against a journalist.

On July 28, 2012, members of the Hindu Jagran Vedike attacked a birthday party at Morning Mist Homestay near Padil in Mangaluru. Following an investigation, the Mangaluru Rural police filed a chargesheet against 44 accused.

The attack was reportedly led by Hindutva leader Subhash Padil, who claimed that the youths were indulging in obscene activities after consuming alcohol. During the attack, Hindu Jagran Vedike members allegedly stripped women and attacked at least 12 people.

Two video journalists were also arrested in the case. The case against one of the journalists was withdrawn by the CM Siddaramaiah-led government, following which he was acquitted in 2018.

The State Women's Commission also investigated the incident and the then Home Minister R. Ashok, recommended an inquiry by a team headed by a DIG-rank officer in the backdrop of 'police failure' and the nature of the attack.