In a shocking incident, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed by a knife-wielding man thrice in his office on Wednesday afternoon. He has been admitted in the ICU of Mallya hospital.
According to preliminary reports, the accused named Tejhraj has been taken into custody by the Vidhana Soudha police.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage of the office. The accused reportedly went inside the office by claiming he wanted to speak to the Lokayukta.
Reports suggest that Justice Shetty who was in a critical condition is now stable. He has injuries in his chest and stomach.
Hospital sources told TNM that Justice Shetty who is out of immediate danger, has three minor cuts in his hand and one deep cut in his abdomen. He is set to underego surgery and a CT scan has been conducted.
Doctors at Mallya Hospital said that he is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit. TV channels reported that CM Siddaramaiah has personally rushed to the Mallya Hospital. According to reports, Justice Shetty was conscious when he was taken to the hospital.
Denying a security lapse, CM Siddaramaih told reporters, "A hundred people walk into the office every day. The gunman was outside the chamber and the incident happened inside the office."
#BIGNEWS: Justice #VishwanathShetty stabbed once on his hand and twice on his stomach. Tejas Sharma attacked Shetty immediately after he entered his cabin. pic.twitter.com/k1iCd4T8n5
— NEWS9 (@NEWS9TWEETS) March 7, 2018
Shetty had taken charge as the Lokayukta in January 2017. He earlier served as a judge in the Karnataka High Court from 1999 to 2004
A person stabbed the Lokayukta in Bengaluru, the accused has been taken into custody: Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/4CAqrokufX
— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018
Transport Minister HM Revanna who also visited him at the hospital told reporters that the Lokayukta is in a stable condition.
Soon after the CM Siddaramaiah arrived, the hospital was covered with heavy security.
Jayanna,a lawyer who is an eyewitness to the incident said that the crime occured at 1:50 pm at the quasi-judicial hall on the second floor of the building.
“The Lokayukta was looking through some case files. At that time I was not facing him. I heard some commotion. By the time I looked around,Justice Shetty has fallen to the ground. Meanwhile,seven to eight persons got hold of the stabber and locked him inside a room till police came," he told TNM.