In a gruesome incident, Karnataka Lokayukta P. Vishwanatha Shetty was stabbed multiple times by a man on Wednesday. Shetty, who suffered serious injury, was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition is stated to be out of danger.
The attacker was identified as Tejaraj Sharma who had gone to Shetty's office near the state secretariate with a complaint about not getting a tender for a work he had applied for, but got an unfavourable reply. He was told by the Lokayukta office that the case was shut after investigation. Sharma was arrested later.
Shetty was brought to the hospital around 2 pm with multiple stab injuries and taken to the operation theatre where a team of doctors "tackled all of it," Dr Divakar Bhat of Mallya Hospital to reporters. There were two to three stab injuries on his chest and one serious wound on stomach, he said
Chief Minister Siddharamaiah said he had asked the police to investigate the incident in detail. "I have spoken to doctors regarding his treatment. Doctors who are treating him have said prima facie he is out of danger," he said.
Home minister Ramalinga Reddy, citing initial information, had earlier said the assailant had claimed to be an advocate.
BJP was quick to blame the state government over the incident with Union minister Ananth Kumar saying the stabbing of Lokayukta showed the complete break down of law and order under the Congress-led government in the state.
"It is deeply shocking that even Karnataka Lokayukta is not safe in Bengaluru. This shows complete break down of law and order in the state," Kumar said.
Meanwhile Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and expressed concern over the attack on the Lokayukta.
Officials said the chief minister apprised Singh about the incident and the condition of the Lokayukta.