Woman caught entering Lokayukta office with knife

She was stopped when the door frame metal detector beeped

New metal detectors were set up in the Lokayukta office after the recent attack on P. Vishwanatha Shetty.

A 57-year-old woman was arrested on Thursday after she attempted to enter the Lokayukta office with a kitchen knife in her handbag.

Lokayukta P. Vishwanatha Shetty resumed office just 10 days ago after he had been stabbed by a disgruntled petitioner, Tejraj Sharma, on March 7.

According to the police, Sonia Rani alias Soubhagya is a resident of Hosahalli. She was apprehended after the door frame metal detector at the entrance started beeping as she walked in around 11 a.m.

Investigations revealed that Sonia, a widow, had submitted six petitions to the Lokayukta office on property issues. She told the police that she had come to the office on Thursday to submit the seventh petition, and not to attack the Lokayukta. “She said she was upset that no action had been taken on her petitions,” said a police officer. She allegedly claimed she had kept the knife in her bag to cut fruits and vegetables, and that she carried it with her at all times.

However, the police said they were unconvinced with her argument, especially in the backdrop of the previous attack on the Lokayukta. Sharma, a businessman from Tumakuru, had stabbed Mr. Shetty multiple times as he believed he had been wronged, first by the government and then by the Lokayukta.

Sonia, too, had several petitions pending with the Lokayukta. “She was produced before the magistrate and taken into police custody. We are still questioning her to ascertain her motive,” the officer said. She has a 27-year-old adopted son, who is paralysed and undergoing treatment at K.R. Hospital in Mysuru. Sources in the police have hinted at the possibility of the accused being mentally unstable.

Improved security

“This incident has shown that security at the Lokayukta office has improved as the woman was stopped at the entrance itself,” said Mr. Shetty. This was not the case in March, when Sharma entered his chamber unchecked as the metal detectors were not functioning then.

“We have petitioned for a luggage scanner and the government has sanctioned funds. This will soon be procured,” he said. He also urged petitioners to remain patient with the process.