Mangaluru Court Rebukes ‘Moral Policing,’ Grants Bail to 11 in Salon Ransack Case

Mangaluru’s 2nd Additional District and Sessions Court has granted bail to 11 of the 14 accused, including a journalist, in connection with the ransacking of a local salon. In a strong rebuke against the accused for their alleged act of ‘moral policing,’ Judge K.P. Preethi emphasized that maintaining law and order is the sole responsibility of designated authorities. The court upheld the principle that ‘bail is the rule, jail is an exception,’ allowing the accused to walk free while the legal proceedings continue.

The incident, which sparked outrage, saw a group storming into the salon, reportedly objecting to certain activities inside. In the bail order dated February 5, the court made it clear that if the accused had concerns about any illegal or immoral activities, they should have approached the police or city authorities instead of taking matters into their own hands. While the bail provides temporary relief to the accused, legal experts believe the case could set an important precedent against vigilantism and unauthorized enforcement of personal beliefs in public spaces.