BJP MLA's daughter slaps woman police officer over VIP temple entry
A video shows BJP MLA Suresh Gowda's daughter Aishwarya slapping SI Savita at a temple.
In Karnataka, BJP MLA Suresh Gowda's daughter slapped a woman police officer for not allowing VIP darshan at a temple. A video has gone viral on social media days after a case was registered against Aishwarya, the BJP MLA's daughter, for assaulting Police Sub-Inspector (SI) Savita B. Patil at a temple in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district. The video shows the MLA's daughter slapping the woman police officer.
The Hindu reports that the video, purportedly from a CCTV camera, shows Aishwarya slapping SI Savita standing next to her in the temple. Immediately, the police officer retaliates by hitting her back. It is reported that an argument broke out between Aishwarya and the police officer over her attempt to enter the temple's sanctum sanctorum, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Onlookers then separated the two.
An officer from the Kyathanahalli police station in Srirangapatna told The Hindu that an FIR has been registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda, based on Savita Patil's complaint. However, Aishwarya has also filed a counter-complaint with the police. The police stated that the investigation is ongoing. According to the police officer, only one FIR has been registered so far, based on the complaint of the on-duty police officer.
According to sources, the incident occurred on August 12 at the Arati Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk during the religious rituals of Bheemana Amavasya. Aishwarya had arrived at the temple and objected to Savita Patil for preventing VIP entry. Savita Patil is associated with the Mandya Women's Police Station and was on duty at the temple that day.
In her complaint, Savita Patil alleged that Aishwarya abused and slapped her while she was performing her official duties. A case has been registered against Aishwarya, who is also married to a police officer, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
An FIR has been filed against Aishwarya for assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and criminal intimidation.
Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi confirmed that a counter-complaint has also been filed by Aishwarya. In her complaint, she alleged that the police officer misbehaved with her. The police have stated that both complaints are being investigated.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage. Many have accused the MLA's daughter of abusing political influence and demanded her immediate arrest.
On social media platform X, a user wrote,
"If the behaviour of a public representative's (MLA/MP) family is like this, what hope is left for the common people? Power should not mean exemption from the law."
Another user sarcastically wrote,
"I am sure the woman sub-inspector will soon be suspended or issued a show-cause notice and will be forced to apologise to the MLA's daughter and the MLA."
Another user, journalist Priya Singh, shared the video in an X post, writing,
"BJP MLA's daughter slapped the SI, if the father is an MLA from BJP, there will be dominance! Meet them—this is the BJP MLA's daughter. She had come to a temple in Karnataka for darshan. When there was a delay in darshan, she angrily slapped the on-duty woman SI. Let it be known that this is Aishwarya, daughter of BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda from Tumakuru Rural."
A user remarked, "Certainly, being a politician's daughter should not change the rules." The incident has sparked a widespread debate on social media. Many have expressed concern over the issue, questioning political influence and the equal application of the law.