Karnataka BJP MLA's daughter booked for slapping woman cop at Mandya temple
Synopsis
The daughter of a sitting Karnataka BJP MLA allegedly slapped a woman police sub-inspector on duty at a Mandya temple — then her father, while apologising publicly, simultaneously sought a departmental inquiry against the police. The accused is also married to a serving DySP, making impartial investigation a live question.
Key Takeaways
Aishwarya , daughter of BJP MLA B.
Suresh Gowda , allegedly slapped PSI Savitha B.
Patil at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple , Srirangapatna, on Wednesday .
The incident occurred during Bhima Amavasya celebrations when thousands of devotees were present.
Kyathanahalli police registered an FIR under Sections 132, 115(2), 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
Aishwarya is the wife of Mandya DySP Gowtham , adding institutional sensitivity to the case.
MLA Suresh Gowda publicly apologised but also approached the DG&IGP seeking a departmental inquiry into the police's handling of his daughter's counter-complaint.
Gowda called for abolishing the VIP darshan system at temples, even as the incident arose from an attempt to use the VIP queue.
An FIR has been registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA B. Suresh Gowda, for allegedly assaulting a woman police officer on duty at a temple in Mandya district during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, police confirmed on Friday, 14 August. The incident has drawn sharp attention to the conduct of political families at public religious events and reignited debate over VIP access at temples.
How the Incident Unfolded
The altercation occurred on Wednesday at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Arathi Ukkada, Srirangapatna taluk, when thousands of devotees had gathered for the festival. According to the complaint, Aishwarya attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum through the VIP queue. Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Savitha B. Patil, deployed on security duty, stopped her, citing the heavy crowd.
A dispute arose when Aishwarya noticed Circle Inspector Lakshmi, who was on duty in plain clothes, proceeding toward the sanctum. PSI Patil explained that Lakshmi was entering in an official capacity. The explanation reportedly failed to satisfy Aishwarya, and the argument escalated — culminating in Aishwarya allegedly slapping PSI Patil.
Case Registered, Investigation Underway
Following PSI Patil's complaint, the Kyathanahalli police registered a case against Aishwarya under Sections 132, 115(2), 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). An investigation has been initiated. Aishwarya is also the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gowtham, a detail that adds a layer of institutional sensitivity to the case.
MLA Suresh Gowda Apologises, Raises Separate Complaint
Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda publicly apologised for his daughter's alleged conduct. '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. He noted that Aishwarya had been accompanied by her two children at the time, adding, 'Since she had two children with her, she should have been more patient. She has done something wrong, and I apologise.'
At the same time, Gowda alleged that the police had not recorded his daughter's counter-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 into the episode.
MLA Calls for End to VIP Temple Access
Notably, Gowda used the occasion to criticise the VIP darshan system at temples, arguing it burdens ordinary devotees and puts additional pressure on security personnel. '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. The remarks carry an irony that critics have not missed — the incident itself stemmed from an attempt to use a VIP queue.
What Happens Next
Police are continuing their investigation under the BNS provisions cited in the FIR. With the accused being the daughter-in-law of a serving police officer and the daughter of a sitting legislator, the case is likely to face scrutiny for impartial handling. The DG&IGP's response to the MLA's request for a departmental inquiry is awaited.
Point of View
But his simultaneous approach to the DG&IGP for a departmental inquiry muddies the accountability picture. That the accused is married to a serving DySP makes the demand for impartial investigation more than rhetorical. Karnataka has seen repeated incidents of VIP conduct clashing with law enforcement at public events; without firm institutional consequences, apologies alone do little to shift the pattern.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Mandya temple during Bhima Amavasya?
The daughter of BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda allegedly slapped a woman Police Sub-Inspector on duty at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district, during Bhima Amavasya celebrations. The altercation reportedly began when the officer stopped her from entering the sanctum through the VIP queue.
Who filed the FIR and under which sections?
PSI Savitha B. Patil filed the complaint after being allegedly assaulted. The Kyathanahalli police registered an FIR under Sections 132, 115(2), 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation is underway.
What did MLA B. Suresh Gowda say about the incident?
Gowda publicly apologised for his daughter's alleged conduct, saying 'She has done something wrong, and I apologise.' He also noted that as public representatives, they must behave respectfully in all public places. Separately, he approached the DG&IGP seeking a departmental inquiry into the police's handling of his daughter's counter-complaint.
Why is Aishwarya's identity significant in this case?
Aishwarya is both the daughter of a sitting BJP MLA and the wife of Mandya's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gowtham. This dual connection to political and police authority has raised questions about whether the investigation will proceed without institutional interference.
What is the VIP darshan system and why is it controversial?
The VIP darshan system allows politicians, officials, and influential individuals to bypass regular queues at temples. MLA Suresh Gowda himself criticised the system after the incident, calling for its abolition and arguing that it creates inequality among devotees and adds pressure on security personnel — even though the incident arose from his daughter attempting to use such a queue.
