‘Bangalore clash was planned long ago’

Most of the senior police officers who were deputed at the city civil court complex on Friday said the advocates had planned the attack and prepared for it well.

A police officer said they learnt that the advocates had kept a stock of chilli powder, stones, bottles, knife and other weapons on the premises. The motive of the attack was to get even with the media for criticising the legal fraternity over their January 17 snap protest, which had caused a logjam in the city.

When the advocates learnt that former minister G Janardhana Reddy was to be produced before the CBI special court, on the city civil court premises, on Friday, they decided to settle scores with the presspersons, who would come there to cover the proceedings. Therefore, the advocates stored stones and bottles in the complex. Also, they procured chilli powder from canteens to throw on the policemen, if they dared to intervene.

The advocates set fire to police vehicles parked on the premises. Fire and emergency services department was alerted, which sent three fire tenders to douse the flames. Regional fire officer, Bangalore North, TN Shiva Shankar, said the fire personnel were wary of entering the premises as the advocates were pelting stones. Nevertheless, the firemen went there and put out the fire.

Meanwhile, the officers of Andhra Pradesh police, who escorted Reddy to the city from Hyderabad, were stunned at what transpired at the city civil court complex. They soon left the scene.