JD(S) leader Gottigere Manjanna arrested for assaulting Bengaluru traffic cop
Synopsis
A sitting JD(S) general secretary was arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly grabbing a traffic constable by the collar and attempting to kick him — all caught on video. The arrest comes within days of a BJP MLA's daughter facing an FIR for slapping a woman police officer in Mandya, raising urgent questions about political impunity toward law enforcement in Karnataka.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Police arrested JD(S) General Secretary Gottigere Manjanna , 65 , on 17 August 2025 for allegedly assaulting traffic constable Arun Manjappa Badagoudara in Bengaluru .
Manjanna allegedly grabbed the officer by the collar and attempted to kick him after being signalled to stop his vehicle in the Gottigere area.
A video of the incident went viral on social media, triggering public concern.
The arrest was made under the guidance of DCP M.
Narayana and ACP Satish K.M. of Hulimavu Police Station .
The incident follows an FIR against Aishwarya , daughter of BJP MLA B.
Suresh Gowda , for allegedly slapping a woman police sub-inspector in Mandya on 12 August 2025 .
Karnataka Police arrested Janata Dal (Secular) General Secretary Manjunath C., widely known as Gottigere Manjanna (65), on 17 August 2025 for allegedly assaulting a traffic constable on duty in the Gottigere area of Bengaluru. The arrest was made late on Sunday night by the Hulimavu Police Station, and Manjanna is currently under questioning.
What the Incident Involved
According to the police complaint, traffic constable Arun Manjappa Badagoudara was regulating traffic in the Gottigere locality when he signalled Manjanna's vehicle to stop. Manjanna allegedly objected to being stopped, confronted the officer, and asked, 'Why are you stopping my vehicle?'
He is accused of grabbing Arun by the collar and attempting to kick him. Members of the public reportedly intervened and separated the two before the situation could escalate further. A video purportedly showing the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing sharp public criticism.
Police Action and Investigation
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Electronic City) M. Narayana and Assistant Commissioner of Police Satish K.M. Investigators are examining the full sequence of events, including whether the confrontation was directly triggered by the routine traffic stop.
Manjanna was brought to the police station for questioning following his arrest late on Sunday night, 16 August 2025.
Pattern of Political Figures Clashing With Police
This incident comes just days after an FIR was registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA B. Suresh Gowda, for allegedly abusing and slapping a woman police sub-inspector during a temple dispute in Mandya district on 12 August 2025.
The incident took place at the Arathi Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk during Bhima Amavasya celebrations. Woman Police Sub-Inspector Savitha Patil filed a complaint stating she was verbally abused, slapped, threatened, and obstructed from performing her duties. Suresh Gowda, the Tumakuru Rural MLA, publicly apologised for his daughter's conduct and called for a fair inquiry, stating that anyone found guilty should face legal consequences.
Broader Concern
Taken together, both incidents point to a troubling pattern of individuals connected to political figures allegedly obstructing or assaulting law enforcement personnel in Karnataka within a single week. Authorities have indicated that neither case will be treated differently on account of political affiliations, though independent observers note that the speed and firmness of follow-through will be closely watched.
Point of View
Not guilt. If courts do not move swiftly, the signal sent to political workers across the state will be corrosive.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gottigere Manjanna and why was he arrested?
Gottigere Manjanna, whose full name is Manjunath C., is the General Secretary of the Janata Dal (Secular) and is 65 years old. He was arrested by Hulimavu Police in Bengaluru on 17 August 2025 for allegedly assaulting traffic constable Arun Manjappa Badagoudara after being asked to stop his vehicle.
What exactly happened during the Bengaluru traffic cop assault?
According to the police complaint, constable Arun Manjappa Badagoudara signalled Manjanna's vehicle to stop during routine traffic duty in the Gottigere area. Manjanna allegedly confronted the officer, grabbed him by the collar, and attempted to kick him before members of the public intervened and separated the two.
Has a video of the incident been confirmed?
A video purportedly showing the assault circulated widely on social media and triggered significant public concern. Police are examining the footage as part of their investigation, though its authenticity has not been independently verified beyond what authorities have indicated.
How does this case relate to the Mandya police assault incident?
Days earlier, on 12 August 2025, an FIR was registered against Aishwarya, daughter of BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda, for allegedly slapping and abusing Woman Police Sub-Inspector Savitha Patil at the Arathi Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk, Mandya district. Suresh Gowda publicly apologised and called for a fair inquiry.
Who is overseeing the investigation into the Bengaluru traffic cop assault?
The investigation is being conducted by Hulimavu Police Station under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Electronic City) M. Narayana and Assistant Commissioner of Police Satish K.M. Manjanna is currently being questioned as part of the probe.
