WATCH:

Karnataka Lokayukta stabbed inside his office

Read this story in Marathi

Image taken by TOI reporter shows the metal detector in the Lokayukta office is not functioning.

Read this story in Malayalam

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanatha Shetty was on Wednesday stabbed at least three times in his office while hearing a case, exposing a major security loophole in the ombudsman’s office.He has been rushed to Mallya hospital where he is being treated in the emergency section.A man named Tejas Sharma has been taken into custody and sources said that there were multiple cases being probed against the man. TOI could not immediately confirm the man’s identity or the cases against him.Karnataka home minister Ramalinga Reddy told reporters that Shetty is out of danger and that the assailant has been arrested.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.The metal detector at the Lokyukta's office is defunct and may be the lapse that allowed Sharma to sneak in the knife used in the stabbing. The government said a thorough probe has been ordered.Criticism from various quarters have already began pouring in with former Prime Minister and JD(S) national president saying that the Congress government has been trying to kill the institution of the Lokayukta and this attack is just one blow."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 government has provided us. Situation is very bad," Jay Anna, an eyewitness to the attack, told ANI.