Karnataka BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda’s daughter has been booked for allegedly abusing and slapping a woman police sub-inspector at a temple in Mandya.
According to police officials, the incident took place on August 12 at the Maramma Temple in Ukkada during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, news agency PTI reported.
The daughter of Tumakuru Rural MLA KN Rajanna Gowda, who is married to an Assistant Commissioner of Police, has been booked following a complaint by a woman police sub-inspector over an alleged altercation at a temple.
Also Read: FIR registered against BJP MP Anant Maharaj over alleged Netaji remarks: Police
What led to the altercation?
According to the complaint, the woman police officer was deployed for security duty at the temple when Aishwarya allegedly sought permission to enter the sanctum directly without standing in the queue.
When the SI asked her to wait to avoid inconvenience to other devotees, Aishwarya allegedly identified herself as the MLA’s daughter and questioned why she was being stopped.
The argument then allegedly escalated, with Aishwarya abusing and hitting the woman police officer on the head. The complainant also alleged that the MLA’s daughter threatened her and prevented her from carrying out her official duties.
Based on the SI’s complaint, Kyathanahalli police registered a case against Aishwarya under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assaulting a public servant, causing simple hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation, a senior police officer said.
Aishwarya has also filed a counter-complaint, following which an inquiry has been initiated into her allegations. However, no FIR has been registered on her complaint so far. Further action will be taken based on the outcome of the inquiry, the officer said.
Also Read: Vigilance summons Dharamshala MLA in disproportionate assets case
Suresh Gowda responds
Gowda apologised for his daughter’s conduct and said that if she had made a mistake, she should face the consequences under the law.
Gowda said his daughter had gone to the temple with two young children and had requested the police officer to allow her inside briefly as the children could create a disturbance while waiting in the queue.
He claimed that another person was allowed inside ahead of her, following which his daughter questioned why she was not being permitted to enter. The MLA said the argument subsequently escalated, but acknowledged that his daughter, being from a political family and involved in public life, should have exercised restraint.
“I apologise on behalf of my daughter if she has made a mistake,” he said, adding that people in public life should conduct themselves respectfully and should not display arrogance.
Gowda also called for a departmental inquiry into the incident and said action should be taken against anyone found at fault. He said his daughter’s counter-complaint had not initially been registered as an FIR and that he had brought the matter to the attention of the Director General of Police.
“There should be an inquiry at the departmental level. Whoever is at fault should be punished according to the law. If my daughter is at fault, let us see what happens as per the law,” he said.