Bangalore, May 20: Five days after he was allegedly attacked, a Karnataka official, said to be a whistleblower in some controversial land allotments by societies, died at a private hospital on Sunday.
Karnataka Administrative Service officer, SP Mahantesh, whose condition turned critical yesterday, died following a cardiac arrest, hospital sources said.
"Mahantesh heart stopped at 5.30am. We tried our best to revive him, but failed", a doctor, who refused to be named, said.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda said the probe into the murder has been intensified and the accused would be nabbed soon. "The incident is unfortunate and has hurt the sentiments of the people and the government," he said, adding, the family would be sanctioned solatium.
Karnataka home minister R Ashok said the police have got some clues.
"The police are investigating the case and are looking at certain angles to nab killers," he told reporters here. "Government is doing everthing to provide justice to the family members of Mahantesh, he added.
DCP (northeast) Ravikante Gowda said the police has formed four teams to nab the killers and has got "some important clues."
48-year-old Mahantesh, who suffered head injuries in the alleged attack by unidentified persons on May 15, had been on life support system since the last two days.
He was found unconscious near a hotel here while returning home in his car and shifted to the hospital after passerby noticed him and informed his family.
