Video footage has surfaced nearly two weeks after an alleged altercation between the daughter of a BJP MLA and a woman police sub-inspector at a temple in Karnataka’s Mandya district. The footage appears to show Aishwarya, daughter of Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda, slapping PSI Savitha B Patil during an argument at the Aarti Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna.
The incident took place on August 12 around 8.15 pm during Bhima Amavasya celebrations and reportedly began after Aishwarya was asked to wait before entering the temple’s sanctum sanctorum because of the heavy crowd. The footage, which emerged 13 days after the incident, shows the two women engaged in a heated exchange before Aishwarya appears to slap the police officer. Savitha then appears to strike her back, following which others at the spot intervene to calm the situation.
Dispute over entry into sanctum sanctorum
According to the complaint filed by Savitha, who is attached to the Mandya Women’s Police Station, Aishwarya had arrived at the temple for darshan and wanted to enter the sanctum immediately. The officer allegedly asked her to wait for around two minutes because of the crowd.
Instead, the situation escalated into an argument. Savitha alleged that Aishwarya verbally abused her, obstructed her from performing her duties and slapped her. The complaint further states that Aishwarya questioned why Circle Inspector Lakshmi had been allowed to enter while she was being asked to wait.
'Asked her to wait 2 minutes, she slapped me'
Following the incident, Savitha filed a complaint at Kyathanahalli Police Station. The FIR alleges that Aishwarya invoked her father's position during the confrontation and interfered with the officer’s duty.
Savitha said, "She wanted to go inside the sanctum. I asked her to wait for two minutes because of the crowd. Instead, she abused and slapped me."
There have also been allegations that a counter-complaint from Aishwarya’s side was not accepted by the police.
What CCTV footage shows
The newly surfaced footage shows Aishwarya and PSI Savitha engaged in a heated exchange inside the temple premises. At one point, Aishwarya appears to make a phone call as the argument continues.
The footage then appears to show Aishwarya slapping the police officer, who responds by striking her back. Other people present at the spot subsequently intervene and attempt to defuse the confrontation.
The incident has also revived the debate over VIP access and special privileges at temples during major religious gatherings, particularly when large crowds make regulated entry essential.
MLA Suresh Gowda apologises
MLA B Suresh Gowda later apologised over the incident but claimed that his daughter had been mistreated by the police officer. He said his daughter had requested permission to enter the sanctum but was stopped while a Circle Inspector was allowed inside.
“It seems she was misbehaved with, and then the argument started. I have not seen the video. I am sorry for this,” Gowda said.
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