CM takes tough line on lawyer-media clash in Bengaluru

Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda on Friday decided to take tough measures against those behind the ruckus outside the Bengaluru city court complex where journalists clashed with lawyers.

Ten journalists, seven police personnel and three lawyers were injured in this incident. One of the policemen is said to be in critical condition.

Gowda will also meet representatives of the media, judiciary and the police to chalk out a plan to streamline media coverage in the courts and frame guidelines to avoid such chaos in the future.

Besides, a judicial inquiry into the incident is expected to be announced shortly.

The tussle between media personnel and the lawyers has been on since the past couple of months over the former's coverage of cases.

Earlier in the day, journalists who had gone to the city civil court to cover the production of mining baron Janardhan Reddy before the CBI court were stopped by lawyers who alleged that the media had, during an earlier protest, portrayed them in very bad light.

On seeing the journalists, the lawyers engaged in an argument first which led to violent scenes.

The lawyers, who outnumbered the journalists, went on the offensive and did not spare anyone in sight. They even damaged OB vans of some media channels.

The police intervened when bottles, stones and helmets were hurled from both sides.

At the moment, prohibitory orders are in place outside the court premises.