Karnataka Lokayukta, stabbed inside his office, wrote 20 letters for more security: Justice Santosh Hedge

Bengaluru: Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty, who was stabbed inside his office in Bengaluru thrice on Wednesday, had written as many as 20 letters to the government demanding more security, according to former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde.

Shetty's letters were not acknowledged, justice Hegde was quoted as saying by ANI.

"20 letters were written by Lokayukta institution which weren't acknowledged. I hope the government wakes up soon," Justice Santosh Hegde.

Expressing concerns over the incident, Hegde said the attack on Karnataka Lokayukta was a "serious lapse of security" and that urgent measures were required to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future.

Anguished by the incident, Justice Hegde also questioned the Karnataka government's attitude towards the institution of Lokayukta.

"I am more concerned about the attitude of the government towards Lokayukta institution. Metal detectors were not working for many years," Justice Hegde said.

The Karnataka Lokayukta was reportedly stabbed thrice inside his office premises in Bengaluru by an alleged contractor from Tumakuru over complaints regarding some tenders.

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. pic.twitter.com/QeaVd9QL6y

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018

Soon after the attack, he arrested by the Vidhana Soudha police. 

There were multiple cases registered against the attacker in past, reports claimed. 

Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy later told reporters that Shetty is out of danger and undergoing treatment at the Mallaya Hospital.

State's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also reached Mallya hospital to meet Justice Shetty, who is a former Karnataka High Court judge.

''The man (Tejas) had lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta about a corrupt official and later received an acknowledgement that the case has been closed. He came to meet the Lokayukta after this. He has carried a large weapon and had entered the chamber of the Lokayukta (whose gunman was outside) and stabbed him there, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said. 

"He has now been picked up, and action would be taken if we find any lapse in security,” the Chief Minister said.

(With ANI inputs)