CM directs top cop to take up probe

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday directed state police chief Neelamani N Raju to probe the assault on Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty and also ascertain whether a security lapse led to the incident.

"I have asked the DG&IGP to take up a comprehensive inquiry. If there are security lapses, I have said that there should be immediate action," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Mallya Hospital after visiting Justice Shetty. "It seems like the assailant had the intention to kill, given that he was carrying quite a big knife."

At the Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah is said to have told his ministerial colleagues that the assault on Justice Shetty was a serious breach of security. Raising the issue in the meeting, Siddaramaiah said such incidents dent the image of the state and that they should not occur again. According to sources, he instructed Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Law Minister T B Jayachandra and Chief Secretary K Ratna Prabha to meet on Thursday to review security.