Journalists in Kerala have faced increasing number of attacks during covering legal proceedings.
Journalists who had gathered to report on a petition against Kerala Industries Minister EP Jayarajan on the appointment row at a court in Thiruvananthapuram today, were allegedly dragged out of the courtroom by a section of lawyers in the presence of the judge.
The lawyers also allegedly threatened the journalists with dire consequences.
The incident occurred in the presence of Vigilance Judge A Badaruddin and senior advocates who were present when the private petition came up for hearing.
The incident comes just three days after Kerala High Court Chief Justice Mohan M Shantanagoudar had assured Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that media would not be prevented from covering court proceedings.
A lawyer also allegedly slapped a reporter and punched him.
Two women reporters were later escorted out of the court complex by women police personnel.
On seeing the commotion, the judge intervened saying there should not be any problem inside the courtroom.
A Special Vigilance Court had yesterday ordered Kerala Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to file its reply by today on alleged appointments of relatives by Mr Jayarajan to key state posts in government firms.
The complaint in the Special Vigilance court had sought filing of FIR and registration of case against Mr Jayarajan.
The complainant contended that nepotism amounted to corruption. It also wanted registration of a case under Prevention of Corruption Act against the minister.
Besides the complaint at the court, other petitions including that of Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP leader V Muraleedharan seeking filing of FIR and registering a case against Mr Jayarajan are pending before the court.