Karnataka Lokayukta stabbed for complaint he threw out: Top 10 developments

The accused, identified as Tejas Sharma by TV reports, has been taken into police custody following the knife-attack

Bengaluru: Visual of the person who stabbed the Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty at his office in Bengaluru. He has been taken into custody by the police. Photo: ANI

In what is being termed as a massive security breach, Karnataka Lokayukta P Vishwanath Shetty was on Wednesday stabbed with a knife at least four times in his office by a youth apparently unhappy over a request being turned down. The accused, identified as Tejas Sharma, had been taken into police custody, news agency ANI quoted Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy as saying.

Sharma attacked Vishwanath Shetty, a former high court judge, as the complaint he went to the Karnataka Lokayukta with– regarding a tender – was not entertained and he was apparently told that the case was shut, according to a statement by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Justice Shetty had in the past written to authorities at least 20 times and sought more security, former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde told media professionals gathered outside Mallya Hospital, where the Lokayukta was admitted. Earlier in the intensive care unit of the hospital, Justice Shetty is said to be out of danger now.

Following the incident, former Prime Minister H Deve Gowda earlier slammed the state government for poor law and order.

Top 10 highlights

1) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reached Bengaluru's Mallya Hospital to meet Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty who was stabbed by a man at his office.

2) One person attempted to murder the judge.He hit him 3 times with his knife.The judge fell on the floor. So you can see what kind of security Siddaramaiah govt has provided us. The situation is very bad: Eyewitness Jay Anna on Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty stabbed in Bengaluru.

3) 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: HM Ramalinga Reddy on Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty who was stabbed by a man at his office in Bengaluru.

4) It's a murderous attack on Lokayukta Justice, says Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after meeting Vishwanath Shetty at Bengaluru's Mallya Hospital.

5) Karnataka Lokayukta or anti-corruption ombudsman Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty is out of danger, said state home minister Ramalinga Reddy.

6) The attacker, identified as a complainant named Tejas Sharma, has been arrested.

7) 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: HM Ramalinga Reddy on Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty who was stabbed by a man at his office in Bengaluru.

8) Congress condemned the incident and said, "This is a very sad incident...We need to know the intention behind the incident. We are very serious about Lokayukta, we have some of the very senior people in the post. We will certainly take an action."

9) Justice PV Shetty is quite popular amongst farm labourers

An agricultural labourer,K Dinesh from Paduvannaru village in Puttur taluk, wanted to write a ‘thank-you’ letter to Lokayukta Chief Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty for having saved him and his family from ruin. Just when private money-lenders had begun to tighten the noose around Dinesh’s neck for defaulting on loan repayments, an amount of Rs 1.20 lakh was credited into his bank account by Bengaluru-based Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Limited (RGHCL), a fortnight ago. In 2017, the Badagannuru GP Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) deposing before Lokayukta Chief Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty had defended the decision. But, Lokayukta had rejected the PDO’s claim when the officer failed to submit proof backing her statement.

An agricultural labourer,K Dinesh from Paduvannaru village in Puttur taluk, wanted to write a ‘thank-you’ letter to Lokayukta Chief Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty for having saved him and his family from ruin. Just when private money-lenders had begun to tighten the noose around Dinesh’s neck for defaulting on loan repayments, an amount of Rs 1.20 lakh was credited into his bank account by Bengaluru-based Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Limited (RGHCL), a fortnight ago. In 2017, the Badagannuru GP Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) deposing before Lokayukta Chief Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty had defended the decision. But, Lokayukta had rejected the PDO’s claim when the officer failed to submit proof backing her statement.

10) Siddaramaiah & Congress is fully responsible for this. It is time for them to go from Karnataka: Union Minister Ananth Kumar.