Days after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA’s daughter was booked for assaulting an on-duty police officer, CCTV footage of the altercation between the sub-inspector and the woman at a Mandya temple has surfaced. The incident took place on August 12 at the Arathi Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk during Bhima Amavasya celebrations.
Sub-Inspector Savitha B Patil, who is attached to the Mandya Women’s Police Station, had been deployed at the temple for crowd management and security. The woman involved, Aishwarya, is the daughter of Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda and is married to police officer Gautham, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
According to Savitha’s complaint, Aishwarya arrived at the temple and sought to enter the sanctum sanctorum despite the heavy rush. The officer allegedly asked her to wait for a few minutes to avoid inconvenience to other devotees. Aishwarya is then alleged to have questioned why she was being stopped and identified herself as the MLA’s daughter.
The argument escalated, with Savitha alleging that Aishwarya verbally abused her, slapped her and threatened to ruin her career.
The CCTV footage that has now emerged shows the two women engaged in an argument. Aishwarya is seen using her phone during the exchange before appearing to slap Savitha on the head. The police officer then appears to strike Aishwarya, after which people nearby intervene and separate them.
Based on Savitha’s complaint, the Kyathanahalli police registered an FIR against Aishwarya under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include allegedly assaulting or using criminal force against a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation.
Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said Aishwarya has also filed a counter-complaint alleging that Savitha abused her. Police are examining the allegations in the counter-complaint. As of Tuesday, no arrest had been reported.
MLA Suresh Gowda has apologised for his daughter’s conduct if she is found to have acted improperly and said anyone found guilty should face action under the law. He said Aishwarya had gone to the temple with two young children and had sought permission to enter briefly, as waiting in the queue could have been difficult for them.
However, Suresh also said his daughter should have exercised greater restraint given that she belongs to a political family. He called for a departmental inquiry into the incident and opposed special treatment for VIPs at temples, saying all devotees should follow the same queue system.