Govt must protect honest officers: Narayana Murthy

Expressing shock over the killing of a Karnataka official, said to be a whistle-blower in some controversial land allotments, Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy on Sunday said the first priority of the government should be to protect honest officers.

"I'm really shocked beacuse the first priority of the government must be to protect honest officers. Unless our honest officers have confidence in the government, in the police system, in being able to execute their work propely, we will not get justice.

"Therefore, it is very very important that every central and state government takes care of protecting honest officers," Murthy said.

Five days after he was attacked, Karnataka Administrative Service officer S P Mahantesh, 48, died at a private hospital.

Mahantesh, known for his integrity, was working as Deputy Director of the Audit wing in the state's Cooperative department and had reported irregularities in different societies involving some officials and political figures.

Infosys HR Director Mohandas Pai said: "This is a classic case where a person stood up for the truth and was done in and there is no protection for him...what happens to his family?"

"We need much more vigorous policy, honest police force and political system," he said.