Cyrus Mistry’s security guards bash lensmen

Photojournalists are brutally beaten up during an altercation with Tata Group’s security guards outside Bombay House. (PTI/Asian Age)

A scuffle broke out between security guards at Tata Group’s headquarters Bombay House and several photojournalists who had assembled there to cover the visit of ousted Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry ahead of a board meeting of Tata group firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd on Friday. Around four to five guards allegedly slapped and punched three photojournalists.

The MRA police has registered an FIR against six to seven security personnel posted at the Bombay House. A Tata Sons’ spokesperson, when contacted by The Asian Age, apologised for the violent behaviour of the security guards.

The assaulted lensmen were identified as Atul Kamble (Mid Day), S.L. Shantakumar (Times of India) and Arijit Sen (Hindustan Times).

According to police, the incident happened just a few minutes after Mr Mistry arrived and entered the building. “As per the complaint, as soon as Mistry entered, the security personnel rushed out and got into an argument with a photographer. They allegedly began thrashing the photographers,” said a source from MRA Marg police station.

A video recording of the incident shows the security personnel brutally assaulting the photographers with some raining blows and punches on the mediapersons and some slapping them. In the fracas, many lensmen’s cameras and lenses also got damaged. “We have registered an FIR against six-seven persons,” said DCP Ashok Dudhe, Mumbai police spokesperson.

“One of the accused security guards have been identified as Ganesh Shinde. We are in the process of identifying others,” said senior police inspector Sukhlal Varpe, MRA Marg police station.

An official press statement released by the Tata Sons read, “We deeply regret the incident during the entry of certain board directors today. We profusely apologise to the press corp and their families for this incident. We will ensure that such a situation does not recur. We do understand the difficult job and trying situations in which the media corp undertake their duty and have always supported their endeavour. We wish to reiterate that we treasure our cordial relationship with the members of the media and will strive to ensure that it is maintained.”

The Mumbai Press Club issued a statement strongly condemning “the brutal attack” on media professionals.

Joint Commissioner of Police Deven Bharti said: “DCP Sandeep Karnik is holding the charge and he is personally looking into it. The video footage showing the mediapersons being beaten up has been examined and process of registration of offence is underway.”