Photo journalists who were covering Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya’s appearance in a court on Nrupathunga road on Thursday were roughed up by a few unidentified persons.

GRN Somashekhar, a BusinessLine photographer, was one of those attacked. He was assaulted with a helmet.

Recounting the incident, he said: “I was one of three photographers waiting for Mallya to arrive. A person who claimed to be an advocate objected to our presence on the court premises. Soon after, Mallya arrived.

“I was on my bike ready to leave the place. But two men assaulted me, hitting my head with a helmet. Another photographer was kicked.”

Somashekhar, who sustained injuries, was treated in a hospital.

No complaint has been lodged yet with the police.

Asked about the incident, a senior official attached to the nearby Ulsoor Gate police station said that the force had not been informed about Mallya’s appearance in court, and had therefore not made any security arrangements.

comment COMMENT NOW