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Karnataka Lokayukta stabbed in office; attacker detained

Being in a high-holding position, a person is accustomed to death threats and life-endangering situation. And to prevent such situation from occurring high security is maintained.

Karnataka Lokayukta P Vishwanatha Shetty was on Wednesday stabbed multiple times and left profusely bleeding by a man who went to his office with a complaint, the officials said. 

Shetty, in his early 70s, was rushed to a nearby hospital and is stated to be out of danger. The Lokayukta collapsed after assailant Tejaraj Sharma attacked him in his chamber in a multi-storeyed building near Vidhana Soudha or the state secretariat, according to officials and eyewitnesses.

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Sharma was arrested, CM Siddaramaiah told reporters after he rushed to Mallya Hospital and enquired about Shetty’s condition. Sharma, who had filed a complaint with the Lokayukta about not getting a tender for a work he had applied for, went to his chamber and stabbed him in three or four places, he said. He was told by the Lokayukta office that the case was shut after an investigation. Shetty suffered a serious injury to his abdomen, Siddaramaiah said. “I have spoken to doctors regarding his treatment. Doctors who are treating him have said prima facie he is out of danger,” he said.

The assailant came to the office saying he wanted to meet Shetty and after entering the chamber, stabbed the Lokayukta with a knife, Siddaramaiah said. “I was shown the weapon. The knife is big. It looks like he has attempted to murder,” he said. “I wish for his speedy recovery. Such a thing had never happened… I have instructed the DGP to investigate in detail… about his background and other things.”

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Amid reports of a security breach, Siddaramaiah said he had asked the police to look into it and take action. He said those who come to meet the Lokayukta are normally given a chit before being called in. “Several people come to meet us also, we won’t know who has come with a weapon.”

The gunman was standing guard outside Shetty’s chamber and the CCTV is also installed, Siddaramaiah said, adding, “… He did this inside the chamber.” He said Sharma went alone inside the Lokayukta’s chamber. Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, citing initial information, had earlier said the assailant had claimed to be an advocate. Shetty took over as state Lokayukta in January 2017, succeeding Y Bhaskar Rao, a former high court chief justice.

The question that remains is despite such high-security measures, how was a knife not detected by a metal scanner?

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