Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty stabbed brutally; accused Tejhraj taken into custody

Bengaluru, March 7: On Wednesday Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed by a knife-wielding man thrice in his office. He has been admitted in the ICU of Mallya hospital. 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.

Lokayukta Justice Shetty who was in a critical condition is now stable. He has injuries in his chest and stomach.

Hospital sources said 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 undergo surgery and a CT scan has been conducted.

Doctors at Mallya Hospital said that he is being treated at the Intensive Care Unit.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has personally rushed to the Mallya Hospital. CM Siddaramaih said that, "A hundred people walk into the office every day. The gunman was outside the chamber and the incident happened inside the office."

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.

"I have spoken to Commissioner of Police T. Suneel Kumar who informed me that he (Shetty) has been shifted to a private hospital. I was informed that he is out of danger," said Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

The reason for the attack and how it happened are being probed by the police, Reddy said.