BANGALORE: Traffic was affected in the central parts of the city for nearly two hours on Saturday as a group of advocates blocked the busy Hudson Circle, demanding action against a police officer who allegedly assaulted one of their colleagues on Friday.

As hundreds of advocates squatted on the road, several vehicles got stranded near Hudson Circle. Vehicular movement came to a halt on Kempe Gowda Road, Nrupatunga Road, Kasturba Road, J.C. Road, N.R. Road, Rajaram Mohun Roy Road and adjoining roads.

Tension prevailed for some time as protesters and the stranded motorists had a verbal duel and almost came to blows. Some of the protesters also attempted to deflate the tyres of a police jeep.

The advocates dispersed after senior police officials conveyed to them that Basaveshwaranagar sub-inspector Om Prakash, who had allegedly assaulted an advocate, had been placed under suspension.

An advocate, Nataraj of Sanaeguruvanahalli, on Saturday complained to the advocate unions that Mr. Om Prakash and four constables abused and assaulted him. He also alleged that the sub-inspector threatened him with a revolver. The alleged incident took place near Mr. Nataraj's house on Friday

Mr. Nataraj claimed that there was enmity between him and the sub-inspector as he had protested against the police officer for demanding Rs. 2 lakh from a person whom he had "illegally detained" at the police station.

However, senior police officials said that there were six warrants, including a proclamation warrant, against Mr. Nataraj in regard to a case in the Basaveshwaranagar police station. On Friday night, Mr. Om Prakash and four constables went to Mr. Nataraj's house, arrested him and produced him before a magistrate. The magistrate released Mr. Nataraj on bail, the police said.

Mr. Nataraj claimed that he was not aware of a case registered against him in Basaveshwaranagar police station. "Neither the court nor the police had served a notice on me till Friday. Though there was a dispute between my house owner and me, the same had been settled amicably after I vacated the house," he said.

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