Bangalore lawyers in the news once again Confrontation between advocates media personnel and police leaves at least one in critical condition

Barely a month after lawyers paralysed Bangalore city, they find themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons once again. This time, the advocates have been involved in a physical altercation with media personnel in the city's civil court in the Majestic area of Bangalore.

Barely a month after lawyers paralysed Bangalore city, they find themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons once again. This time, the advocates have been involved in a physical altercation with media personnel in the city's civil court in the Majestic area of Bangalore.

Whereas the exact reason for the altercation remains unclear, sources have stated it all started with a dispute between the lawyers and the media persons who were there to cover Janardhan Reddy's court appearance. The large number of media persons were allegedly making it difficult for the lawyers to enter the civil court complex and hence the lawyers requested the police to intervene. 

In between, the lawyers also asked the media persons to clear the way and a verbal duel followed. Tensions gradually escalated and the situation turned worse as the police was forced to intervene. There are reports that individuals within the court complex began throwing stones on the crowd below.

Perhaps smarting from the earlier clash between the police and lawyers, the policemen allegedly used tear gas on the lawyers and also fired shots in the air. There are some reports that the lawyers were chased back into the court complex by the police while others say that severalcars were set ablaze by lawyers. Others say that several lawyers were unfairly attacked by the police and that police personnel even beat up a judge.

An eye witness to the incident tells Bar & Bench that the police forced the advocates to stay within the court premises and then proceeded to beat them up, all the time saying that it was time they [the police] taught the lawyers a lesson.

Sources also say that the situation was eventually placed under control when the Chief Justice of Karantaka and Justice K. L. Manjunath arrived at the court complex to assess the situation. It is said that it was the presence of these judges which eventually brought the situation back to normal.

The unfortunate incident has resulted in injuries being suffered by journalists, police personnel and even lawyers. As per a source at the State Bar Council, one lawyer is currently in coma.

Srinivasa Babu L, Vice-Chairman of Karnataka State Bar Council speaking to Bar & Bench said, “I am currently at the hospital to take care of attacked lawyers. Lawyers were severely injured. This was not highlighted. We do not know the exact numbers as the police did not let us into the place of attack. The total area is surrounded by police.”

Srinivasa is of the view that the clash was a result of some people misbehaving while falsely pretending to be lawyers. “More than a 100 lawyers are admitted in various hospitals,” he adds and also says that there is a pressing need for a “judicial enquiry in this regard.”

The latest incident reflects the mounting tensions between the police and lawyers and also raises question on the manner in which the media has portrayed the legal fraternity. Whether the “judicial enquiry” will reveal the true facts behind this ugly episode is something which remains to be seen.