Bengaluru: The daughter of Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA B. Suresh Gowda has been accused of assaulting and slapping a woman Police Sub‑Inspector (PSI) who was on duty at a temple in Mandya district during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, police said on Friday.
The incident took place at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Arathi Ukkada, Srirangapatna taluk, on Wednesday, when thousands of devotees gathered.
According to the complaint, MLA’s daughter Aishwarya attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum through the VIP queue. PSI Savitha B. Police Patil, deployed for security duty, stopped her.
The PSI reportedly told Aishwarya that the temple was crowded and she could not enter then. During the exchange, Circle Inspector Lakshmi, who was performing duty in plain clothes, proceeded towards the sanctum. Aishwarya questioned why the Circle Inspector was allowed to enter, and Savitha explained that Lakshmi was entering as part of her official duty.
This reportedly led to a heated argument, during which Aishwarya allegedly slapped Savitha. Following the incident, Savitha filed a complaint, and the Kyathanahalli police registered a case under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have initiated an investigation.
Aishwarya is also the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gowtham.
Reacting to the incident, Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda apologised for his daughter’s alleged conduct and said he had advised her to remain calm in public life. “The incident has happened at a bad moment. I apologise for what my daughter did. An FIR has been lodged in the case, and I will look into it,” he said.
The MLA alleged that the police had not received his daughter’s complaint and said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), seeking a departmental inquiry.
“If there is a mistake on my daughter’s part, let anything happen,” he added.
Suresh Gowda also criticised the VIP darshan system at temples, saying it inconveniences ordinary devotees and places additional pressure on the police.
“In my opinion, the VIP darshan system should go. Everyone is equal before God, and everyone should go in a queue. This will also reduce pressure on the police,” he said.
He acknowledged that his daughter’s alleged conduct was inappropriate. “On my daughter’s behalf, I apologise. As people representing the public, we have to behave respectfully in all public places. We should not show arrogance,” he said.
The MLA reiterated his apology, noting that his daughter had been accompanied by her two children when the incident occurred.
“Since she had two children with her, she should have been more patient. She has done something wrong, and I apologise,” he said.
(IANS)
