Bangalore city civil court premises turned into a war zone between lawyers and media persons today when the former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy was produced before the special CBI court by the Bangalore wing of the CBI.

The battle between the lawyers and journalists resulted in the death of a constable. A TV channel reporter went into coma after sustaining serious injuries. Several OB vans of the news channels were destroyed by the unruly lawyers.

Following the incidents, tension gripped several parts of Bangalore city and police were deployed at sensitive locations.

Objecting to the media coverage when the illegal mafia king was produced in the court, some lawyers fought pitched battles with journalists. Lawyers went up to the fourth floor of the court complex and hurled stones and chairs on the policemen and journalists covering the event on the court premises.

8 policemen, one DCP and 18 journalists were injured in the stone throwing by the lawyers and were immediately hospitalized.

Head Constable Mahadevaiah, who sustained serious injuries, died during treatment in hospital later. A news channel reporter who sustained serious injuries is battling for life in the hospital after slipping into coma.

CM orders arrest of lawyers

CM Sadananda Gouda, who reviewed the situation at a cabinet meeting, ordered the police top brass to arrest the rowdy-lawyers under Anti- Gooda Act. (J)