Karnataka Lokayukta attacked as accused's complaint was not addressed, says police
The Karnataka Lokayukta was stabbed multiple times on Wednesday and left bleeding profusely by a man, who had gone to his office with a complaint, only to be told that the case was shut.
The accused stabbed the Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty as his complaint regarding some furniture contracts were not being addressed, said Bengaluru Police on Wednesday.
Speaking to ANI, Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said that the accused had complained against some public servants in connection with supply of furniture.
"The accused has been taken into police custody and is being interrogated. It has been found that the accused had complained against 15-17 public servants in connection with supply of furniture. His allegations were not proved," Kumar said.
He also said that the further inquiry in the matter is going on.
"He took this step because of the reason that he was complaining against these contractors and still not getting the tenders. ," he added.
The Karnataka Lokayukta was stabbed multiple times on Wednesday and left bleeding profusely by a man, who had gone to his office with a complaint, only to be told that the case was shut.
Shetty, in his early 70s, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is stated to be out of danger.
The Lokayukta collapsed after the assailant, Tejaraj Sharma, attacked him at his chamber in a multi-storeyed building near the Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat), according to officials and eyewitnesses.
Siddaramaiah, who rushed to the hospital and enquired about Shetty's condition, told reporters that the attacker was placed under arrest.
Eyewitness Jay Anna was quoted by ANI as saying,"One person attempted to murder the judge.He hit him 3 times with his knife.The judge fell on the floor. So you can see what kind of security Siddaramaiah govt has provided us. Situation is very bad."
According to reports, the metal detector was not functioning at the entry point.
Opposition BJP has branded it another example of poor law and order in the state.
Lokayukta is an independent obbudsman on a state level, which probes corruption allegations against politicians and government officials.
(With ANI inputs)