Mumbai: Three photo-journalists were allegedly attacked by security guards escorting the car carrying newly-wed Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan near the Bachchan family's residence Prateeksha in the city on Saturday.
B L Soni, a photo-journalist with DNA newspaper, fell unconscious and was taken to a nearby private hospital. Two other photographers, Virender Chawla of Punjab Kesari and Satish Bate of Hindustan Times, were injured.
The equipment of a private television news channel's cameraman was damaged when journalists scuffled with security guards after Soni fell unconscious.
Confusion prevailed as to whether the security guards involved in the incident were NSG personnel protecting Samajwadi Party leader and Amitabh Bachchan's friend Amar Singh, who was present at the time, or private guards hired for the wedding.
Trouble erupted at 1900 hrs, IST, when the cream-coloured decorated car carrying Abhishek and Aishwarya was on its way to Prateeksha.
As the car moved from the traffic junction opposite, Prateeksha, the photo-journalits began chasing it.
Outside the bungalow, the car was quickly surrounded by security personnel who clashed with journalists while trying to keep them at bay.
In the melee, the three photo-journalists were injured even as the car sped into the compound without mediapersons getting a glimpse of Abhishek or Aishwarya, who were heading to Juhu from Bandra after thebidaai ceremony. The gate of Prateeksha was shut immediately after the car entered it.
The journalists then assembled outside the Bachchan residence, the venue of the elaborate three-day wedding ceremony, and demanded action against security personnel allegedly involved in the attack. They also decided to file a police complaint.
Senior Police Inspector Pradeep Shinde of Juhu police station promised proper action would be taken against the guilty.
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