CCTV footage emerges of altercation between MLA's daughter and police officer in Mandya

MANDYA: CCTV footage has emerged of an altercation between a police sub-inspector and the daughter of Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda at a temple in Srirangapatna, days after the incident was reported.

The footage shows Aishwarya, the MLA's daughter, in a heated exchange with PSI Savitha B Patil at Aarti Ukkada temple on August 12. During the argument, Aishwarya is seen using her phone and attempting to make a call before allegedly slapping the police officer. Savitha then appears to hit her back, following which other people at the spot intervene and separate the two.

The incident occurred around 4.30pm during Bhima Amavasya celebrations and was reportedly triggered by a dispute over entry into the temple's sanctum sanctorum. Savitha, attached to the Mandya Women's Police Station, was deployed for crowd-control duty at the temple. According to her complaint, Aishwarya arrived with others and sought to enter the sanctum without waiting in the queue.

When Savitha asked her to wait for a few minutes to avoid inconvenience to devotees, Aishwarya allegedly identified herself as the MLA's daughter and questioned why she was being stopped. The argument allegedly escalated, with Aishwarya abusing and slapping the PSI and threatening to affect her career. Savitha subsequently filed a complaint at Kyathanahalli police station.

Police registered an FIR against Aishwarya under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly assaulting a public servant, causing simple hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation. Aishwarya has also filed a counter-complaint, alleging that the police officer abused her. Police said the allegations in the counter-complaint were being examined.

Speaking to reporters, MLA Suresh Gowda apologised for his daughter's conduct if she was found to have made a mistake and said anyone at fault should face action under law. He said Aishwarya had gone to the temple with two young children and had requested permission to enter briefly as waiting in the queue could have caused difficulty for them. The MLA also said his daughter should have exercised restraint as a member of a political family and called for a departmental inquiry into the incident. Gowda further opposed VIP arrangements at temples, saying devotees should be treated equally and made to follow the same queue system to avoid inconvenience to the public and reduce pressure on police personnel.