Sri Ram Sene to challenge ban in Goa

Panaji, Sep 10: Right-wing Hindu outfit Sri Ram Sene has decided to challenge the ban imposed on it by the Goa Government.

The state's North and South District Collectors had earlier banned the outfit under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). "This order banning every member of Sri Ram Sene, also any person connected or associated with Sene in any way, is unconstitutional.

Therefore, an appeal under section 144(5) and (6) of CrPC will be made demanding an adequate change in the ban-order, to give a chance to Sene to put forth their arguments (before the district administration)," the outfit's organisational secretary Gangadhar Kulkarni told PTI today.

The outfit was banned from operating in the state on August 20 by the Manohar Parrikar-led government after the police gave an adverse report about its activities. The outfit's chief, Pramod Muthalik, had recently expressed his intention to set up a base in Goa to "curb the pub culture".

The organisation had hit the headlines in 2009 after its members attacked boys and girls at a pub in Mangalore.

PTI