Karnataka Lokayukta stabbed thrice by irate complainant
■ Metal detectors dysfunctional; Justice Shetty stable
In a major security lapse at the Lokayukta building here on Wednesday, Karnataka’s Lokayukta Justice P. Vishwanath Shetty, 74, was repeatedly stabbed inside his office by a frustrated complainant after Justice Shetty told him his corruption complaint against some government officials had been closed.
Justice Shetty, who collapsed after sustaining injuries on his stomach and chest, was rushed to Mallya Hospital while his attacker, identified as Tejraj Sharma, a furniture contractor, was pinned down by security officials and handed over to the police, who took him into custody.
The doctors at Mallya Hospital said Justice Shetty had been moved to the intensive care unit from the operation theatre and that he was out of
◗ Justice Shetty, who collapsed after sustaining injuries on his stomach and chest, was rushed to Mallya Hospital while his attacker was pinned down by officials and handed over to the police
danger. The incident has shaken Karnataka for Justice Shetty was attacked in broad daylight inside his office while several police officials were guarding it. It is being seen as a security lapse as the building, with its faulty metal detectors and lax policing, appeared an open invitation to the attacker, who was a frequent visitor to the building and was well aware that the metal detector did not function and there was no security staff to frisk visitors and check their bags. The situation was reported multiple times to the deputy registrar, Lokayukta, a top official said. “The attacker, who had a knife with him, managed to bypass the metal detector easily. There was no security check or frisking either, which further helped the attacker reach Justice Shetty’s office and
attack him. It’s a clear case of security lapse,” a senior police officer said.
The security lapse was also established in the report submitted by joint commissioner of police ( crime) N. Sateesh Kumar and his team to police commissioner T. Suneel Kumar on Wednesday. Mr Kumar had formed a team under Mr Sateesh to investigate the security lapse in the Lokayukta building. In his report, Mr Sateesh has said the metal detector at the entrance was not working for four years.
A police source said Tejraj lost temper after Justice Shetty told him his case was closed, which is when he pulled out a knife and started attacking the Lokayukta. It happened within seconds, after which the attacker surrendered after armed security officials entered the room. “It was as if he had a grudge against the Lokayukta, and he wanted to take revenge for his complaint not being taken seriously,” an official told this newspaper.
Commenting on the incident, former lokayukta Santosh Hegde termed the incident an outcome of security lapses.
“It is very shocking and unexpected. Many alarms were raised earlier regarding the poor security in the building, but in vain. There has definitely been a security breach,” he said.
Till late Wednesday evening, the police was still interrogating Tejraj at Vidhan Soudha police station to ascertain the exact reason for the attack.
The attacker was also taken to Bowring Hospital for a checkup. Given the lack of security at the Vidhana Soudha police station, the accused may be lodged at Cubbon Park police station overnight, sources said.
The police has got CCTV footage from inside the building and inside the Lokayukta’s office and is examining the footage to ascertain what happened inside the room.