Bengaluru: Former Karnataka minister G Janardhan Reddy has been released after being in jail for over three years, on charges related to illegal mining in the Bellary district of Karnataka. Reddy was granted bail over the last many weeks in a series of cases against him.

After the Supreme Court granted bail to Janardhan Reddy on Tuesday, the city police enforced Section 144 around prison premises in order to prevent any untoward incidents, as it happened in March 2012 when Reddy was brought to city civil court from Chanchalguda jail in Hyderabad.

The city was hit by violence between media personnel of TV channels, advocates and the police. “Since Mr Reddy’s release did not happen on Thursday, Section 144 has been extended to Friday midnight. Within half kilometre radius, if more than four persons have assembled stern action will be taken,” said Alok Kumar. Depending on the strength of supporters who come here on Friday, we will deploy extra police personnel from Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), he added.