Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 9: Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) of Vidhana Soudha, Yogesh, was suspended from Thursday March 8, following the attack on Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty. The suspension was ordered by state home minister, Ramalinga Reddy, on the basis of the report by city police commissioner, T Sunil Kumar, confirming that there was security lapse in Lokayukta office relating to the attack on the Lokayukta.

Justice P Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed allegedly by a person identified as Tejaraj Sharma on Wednesday in his office, and admitted to Vittal Mallya Hospital here.

The case pertaining to this murder attempt has since been transferred to the city crime branch (CCB) as per the orders of the city police commissioner, T Sunil Kumar. A special team led by CCB deputy commissioner of police, Jinendra Khanagavi, has been formed for this investigation. A CCB official said that first information and statement of the accused would be obtained on Friday.

In the meanwhile, CCB joint police commissioner, Sathish Kumar, who was entrusted with the task of filing a report about security lapse in the Lokayukta office, has reported that there was indeed security lapse, metal detector was not functional since several years, and the police officers had not properly guided the officials about security.

The accused, Tejaraj Sharma, has been given five days police custody. Vidhana Soudha police have already obtained documents and questioned the family members of Sharma. During his questioning by the police, Sharma compared himself to hero of Kurukshetra war, Arjuna, who had fought for righteousness and against wrongs.

"I am fighting against Lokayukta because I was wronged. Lord Krishna told me in my dream to fight against those who indulge in things which are not right. I was born when star Visakha was ruling, like Arjuna. I was told by the astrologer that if I began something on Wednesday, I would conquer. But the Lokayukta did not help me on Wednesday. Therefore I launched a war," Tejaraj told the police, sources revealed.

The police said that perhaps overcome by problems, Sharma was excessively involved with worship of photos of deities and excessively believing in astrology. His neighbours thought he had psychological problems, because of his aloofness and dependence on religious rituals, they added.

Meanwhile, there has been improvement in the health condition of Justice P Vishwanath Shetty. Physician treating Justice Shetty, Dr Diwakar Bhat, said that the Lokayukta will be kept in the intensive care unit of the hospital for two to three days more.

"Two bottles of blood transfusion was undertaken as Justice Shetty had bled profusely due to stabbing. He is under 24-hour observation, and we are taking abundant care as he is diabetic. Currently, we are providing only liquid food to him. As his chest has suffered more injuries, the desirability of operating upon him is being examined," he explained. He also said that pain killers have been given as the patient has suffered injury internally due to stabbing in the abdomen region.