Karnataka court rejects bail plea of BJP MLA's daughter in cop assault case
Synopsis
A Karnataka court rejected bail for Aishwarya, daughter of BJP MLA Suresh Gowda and wife of a Deputy SP, in the alleged assault of a woman police officer at a Srirangapatna temple — yet she remains unarrested weeks after the FIR, raising pointed questions about equal enforcement of the law.
Key Takeaways
The Srirangapatna Town Court in Mandya rejected the bail plea of Aishwarya , daughter of BJP MLA Suresh Gowda , on 3 September .
Aishwarya allegedly slapped PSI Savitha B. at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple , Arathi Ukkada , on 12 August during Bhima Amavasya celebrations.
A case was registered under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Kyathanahalli police station .
Aishwarya is the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police Gowtham ; she has not been arrested despite the FIR.
MLA Suresh Gowda apologised publicly and called for abolition of the VIP darshan system in temples.
A court in Karnataka's Mandya district on Thursday, 3 September rejected the bail application of Aishwarya, daughter of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suresh Gowda, in connection with the alleged assault of a woman police sub-inspector (PSI) at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Arathi Ukkada, Srirangapatna taluk. The court reportedly questioned the act of assaulting a police officer who was on duty at the time of the incident.
What Happened at the Temple
The incident took place on 12 August during the Bhima Amavasya celebrations, when thousands of devotees had gathered at the pilgrimage site. According to the complaint, Aishwarya allegedly attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum through the VIP queue. PSI Savitha B., deployed on security duty, stopped her, explaining that the temple was overcrowded and entry was not possible at that moment.
When Circle Inspector Lakshmi, who was on duty in plain clothes, proceeded towards the sanctum, Aishwarya allegedly questioned why the officer was permitted to enter. PSI Savitha explained that Lakshmi was entering in the course of her official duty. The exchange reportedly escalated into a heated argument, during which Aishwarya allegedly slapped Savitha. The incident was captured on video and subsequently went viral.
FIR Registered, Arrest Yet to Follow
Following the incident, PSI Savitha filed a formal complaint and the Kyathanahalli police station registered a case under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, as of the bail hearing, Aishwarya — who is also the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police Gowtham — has not been arrested, drawing scrutiny over the pace of police action in the case.
Aishwarya's Defence
In her defence, Aishwarya has alleged that the police officer used abusive language and made her two children stand amid the crowd. She has also claimed that a complaint she submitted to the police was not registered, though this account has not been independently verified.
MLA Suresh Gowda Apologises
Suresh Gowda, who represents the Tumakuru Rural Assembly constituency, publicly apologised for his daughter's conduct and called for the abolition of the VIP darshan system in temples. '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 also noted that he had advised her to remain calm in public life.
What Happens Next
With the Srirangapatna Town Court rejecting the bail plea, attention now turns to the next steps by the Mandya police. The case has amplified questions about equal enforcement of the law when the accused is connected to a senior police official and an elected legislator. Whether the police proceed to make an arrest will be closely watched.
Point of View
Wife of a Deputy SP — makes the delay difficult to explain on procedural grounds alone. Karnataka's law enforcement has a credibility test on its hands: if the same delay applied to an ordinary citizen caught on video assaulting a police officer, it would be inconceivable. The court's pointed questioning of the assault on a duty officer signals that the judiciary, at least, is not inclined to overlook the facts.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Aishwarya's bail plea rejected in the Karnataka cop assault case?
The Srirangapatna Town Court in Mandya rejected Aishwarya's bail plea on 3 September, reportedly questioning the act of assaulting a police officer who was on duty at a temple. The court found no grounds to grant anticipatory relief given the nature of the alleged offence.
What exactly happened at the Srirangapatna temple on 12 August?
During Bhima Amavasya celebrations at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Arathi Ukkada, Aishwarya allegedly slapped PSI Savitha B. after the officer stopped her from entering the sanctum sanctorum through the VIP queue. The incident was captured on video and went viral on social media.
Has Aishwarya been arrested in the case?
As of 3 September, Aishwarya has not been arrested despite an FIR being registered at Kyathanahalli police station shortly after the 12 August incident. The delay has drawn scrutiny, particularly given that she is the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police Gowtham.
What is Aishwarya's defence in the cop assault case?
Aishwarya has alleged that PSI Savitha B. used abusive language and made her two children stand amid the crowd. She has also claimed that a complaint she submitted to the police was not registered, though this has not been independently verified.
How has BJP MLA Suresh Gowda responded to the incident?
Suresh Gowda, who represents the Tumakuru Rural Assembly constituency, publicly apologised for his daughter's conduct and called for the abolition of the VIP darshan system in temples. He said he had advised her to remain calm in public life and stated he would look into the FIR.
