Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed inside his office premises on Wednesday, 7 March. He has been admitted to Bengaluru’s Mallya hospital and is said to be in a stable condition. The perpetrator was held by the police, minutes after the attack.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka’s home minister visited Shetty at the hospital. Addressing the media following his visit, Siddaramaiah said that while the injuries suffered by the judge were grievous, doctors have announced that he is ‘out of danger’.
Further expanding on the attack, he said:
As per the information available with the police, he had given a complaint and the case was closed after investigation. He came to the chamber, claiming he wanted to talk about this case and then attacked the Lokayukta. The weapon he was carrying, and injuries suggest this was an attempt to murder the Lokayukta.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he expressed his concern over the attack CM Siddaramaiah over a call. He also wished Justice Shetty a speedy recovery.
A senior police officer told The Quint the attacker came to the Lokayukta office in MS Building, at around 1:45 pm.
He reportedly entered his name as Tejas Sharma, in the lawyer’s registry, and entered the Lokayukta's chamber. A few minutes later, employees heard loud screams from the chamber.
Former CM BS Yeddyurappa condemned the government for the security lapse.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad too said that the incident was ‘a serious issue of law and order.’
A Times of India report identifies the accused as Sanjay Sharma – against whom 18 cases have been lodged at the Lokayukta. As per a Times Now report, Justice Shetty was stabbed three times while he was hearing a case.
Speaking to ANI, an eyewitness at the scene, Jay Anna, said that the incident highlights the security situation under the Congress government in the state.
“One person attempted to murder the judge. He stabbed him 3 times with a knife. The judge then fell on the floor. So you can see what kind of security Siddaramaiah government has provided us. The situation is very bad,” he said.
(This is a developing story and will be updated)
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