Bengaluru: In a shocking incident that highlights security shortcomings in public offices, Karnataka Lokayukta judge P Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed multiple times inside his chamber on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources said judge Shetty was allegedly stabbed three times by one Tejas Sharma, an advocate from Tumkuru, according to the entry log at the Lokayukta entrance register.

The entry log also revealed the attacker had entered the premises on the pretext of meeting the assistant registrar of Enquiries 5 around 12:45 PM. 

He stalked Justice Shetty's office and since it was a lunch break and there were not many people around, he allegedly walked in and attacked the Lokayukta.

The staff barged into the chamber when they heard a scream from inside. They found Shetty lying in a pool of blood. The attacker tried to stab one of the staff members but he escaped. It was only when others were alerted that the attacker was apprehended and handed over to the police.

Explaining the apparent reason behind the incident, sources said that the attacker had filed a complaint against a Government official in the past which had been dismissed by the Lokayukta.

When the New Indian Express visited the Lokayukta office, the metal detectors placed at the entrance were found non-functional. This was probably how the attacker managed to slip the knife without being detected.

Justice Shetty has been shifted to Mallya Hospital in the city and his condition is said to be critical. A part of the knife which was used to stab him is still lodged inside his body, sources said.

Dr Humera Sayeeba, medical administrator, Mallya Hospital, said, "His vitals are stable. We are still doing a CT Thorax Abdomen. Our general surgeon Dr Prakash Babu is treating him."