Bangalore: Lawyers attack journalists near court

Bangalore: A huge ruckus was created outside a court complex in Bangalore on Friday as lawyers and mediapersons gathered there engaged in a scuffle. The lawyers reportedly barred the entry of journalists to the City Civil Court complex saying the media portrayed them in bad light. The incident happened just after former BJP leader Janardhan Reddy was produced in court in connection with the illegal mining case.

Witnesses said that the lawyers threw stones and bottles at the mediapersons. Even policemen, who arrived on the scene to control the situation, were not spared. DCP of Bangalore Central G Ramesh was reportedly injured during the attack. He has been shifted to a hospital.

Three media vans were damaged and several mediapersons were injured in the scuffle.

DCP of Bangalore Central G Ramesh was reportedly injured during the attack. He has been hospitalised.

The police finally hurled tear gas shells to control the angry mob.

The lawyers were reportedly upset with the media over its questioning a road blockade by protesting lawyers earlier this year.

In January, lawyers had blocked several roads in Bangalore for 6 hours when police had beaten up some lawyers. The local media had then questioned the need to block roads on a working day. Since then, there has been some or the other scuffle between lawyers and the media.

One of the injured mediaperson said, "The lawyers picked up a fight with all the crime reporters who were present here. They started assaulting us. This is nothing but revenge for January's Mysore Circle incident. The lawyers damaged all our equipment and thrashed our reporters and cameramen."

Ex-Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde however condemned the incident. He said, "It is sad that people in a noble profession are involved in such activities. I condemn the act of the lawyers. This should be severely dealt by law."

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders have been imposed outside the court premises. Home Minister P Chidambaram has called for a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, the court officials and the media.

Meanwhile, the Indian Journalists Union condemned the attack, demanding that the accused be arrested immediately. The state government must ensure journalists' safety, it added.

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