Bengaluru, Mar 7: Karnataka Lokayukta P Vishwanatha Shetty was stabbed multiple times in his office on Wednesday. The anti-corruption ombudsman was rushed to the nearby Mallya hospital following the assault.

The attacker, identified as Tejas Sharma, was apprehended immediately following the attack. The Bengaluru police has taken him into custody.

Shetty's condition is stated to be stable by the hospital authorities. While speaking to reporters, State Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, "We are closely monitoring the situation. The Lokayukta is right now out of danger."

On being asked about the identity of Sharma, Reddy said there is no link of his affiliation to any political party. "He was a contractor from Tumkur. He complained to the Lokayukta about some tenders. He was alone when he assaulted the judge," the Minister added.

Eyewitnesses claim Shetty was stabbed thrice by the attacker before the security officials intervened. Advocate Jay Anna, who witnessed the assault, said the attack was pre-planned as the attacker had came to the Lokayukta office carrying a knife.

"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," he told news agency ANI.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reached the Mallya hospital shortly after Shetty was admitted. While addressing the press, he said an inquiry would be conducted.

Shetty, a former Karnataka High Court judge, was appointed as the anti-corruption ombudsman by the Lokayukta selection panel in January 2017. His appointment, however, was marred with controversy as activists alleged his family members amassed huge amount of "unaccounted wealth" through illicit means.

Despite objections raised to his appointment by the civil society, the Governor gave the go-ahead based upon the recommendation of the state government.

The Lokayukta post, ahead of Shetty's appointment, was vacant in Karnataka since December 2015, following the unceremonious exit of his predecessor Justice (retd) Y Bhaskar Rao, who was accused of corruption and extortion.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 07, 2018 03:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).