Karnataka Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty stabbed inside office, attacker arrested

In a massive breach of security, Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Vishwanath Shetty, a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court, was stabbed thrice in his stomach in his office on Wednesday. The accused gained access to the Lokayukta office in the guise of an advocate intending to lodge a complaint. The assailant, identified as one Thejas Sharma, was overpowered by staff at the office who arrived on hearing the screams of the retired judge. Justice Vishwanath Shetty was rushed to the Mallya Hospital in Bengaluru, where his condition is stated to be critical. The Vidhana Soudha police have arrested Sharma and are questioning him regarding the motive behind the attack. Police sources said the assailant made an entry in a register at the entrance of the Lokayukta’s office stating he was an advocate and wanted to present a complaint. As soon as he entered Shetty’s chamber, Sharma began attacking the judge with a knife, officials said. Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said Sharma was a contractor from Tumakuru and he had complained to the Lokayukta about issuance of some tenders. “He was a contractor from Tumakuru. He complained to the Lokayukta about some tenders. He assaulted the judge and he was alone. The judge is out of danger now,” Reddy said. T Suneel Kumar, Bengaluru commissioner of police, said the accused attacked the Lokayukta after his complaint against 15-17 public servants in connection with supply of furniture went unheard. “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. He took this step because of the reason that he was complaining against these contractors and still not getting the tenders,” Kumar said. Meanwhile, Union minister Ananth Kumar blamed Siddaramaiah and Congress for the attack on Shetty and said the incident was an example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka. “Siddaramaiah and Congress is fully responsible for this. It is time for them to go from Karnataka. It is unfortunate that in broad daylight, there has been a murderous attack on the Lokayukta. He is battling for his life in the hospital. This incident shows the deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka,” Kumar said. BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje launched a stinging criticism of the Congress government, blaming it for weakening the Lokayukta. “Congress government weakened Lokayukta. Now, under this government, the law and order situation has totally collapsed. This is all because of Siddaramaiah. Karnataka is facing serious law and order situation. They are not taking any action against the culprits,” Karandlaje said. An eyewitness in the Lokayukta office, Jay Anna, complained of the protection being granted by the government to the Lokayukta. “You can see what kind of security Siddaramaiah government has provided us. Situation is very bad,” Anna said. Justice Vishwanath Shetty was appointed the Karnataka Lokayukta – an anti-corruption ombudsman – last year after the position had fallen vacant three years ago following the emergence of corruption charges against the previous Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao. The office of the Lokayukta was embroiled in a major scandal three years ago after an investigation by a police SIT revealed widespread corruption perpetrated by the former Lokayukta’s son Ashwin Rao. Source: Indian Express