Bengaluru, Aug 2026 : The daughter of Karnataka BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda has been accused of assaulting and slapping a woman Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) who was deployed for security duty at a temple in Mandya district during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, police said.
The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy Temple in Arathi Ukkada, Srirangapatna taluk, where thousands of devotees had gathered for the religious festivities.
According to the complaint filed by PSI Savitha B. Police Patil, MLA’s daughter Aishwarya attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum through the VIP queue. Savitha, who was deployed at the temple for security arrangements, reportedly stopped her and informed her that the area was crowded and that she could not enter at that time.
The situation allegedly escalated after Aishwarya noticed Circle Inspector Lakshmi, who was reportedly in plain clothes, proceeding towards the sanctum. Aishwarya is said to have questioned why the inspector was being allowed inside when she herself had been stopped.
Savitha reportedly explained that Lakshmi was entering the sanctum as part of her official duty. An argument allegedly followed between the two women, during which Aishwarya is accused of slapping the PSI.
Following the alleged assault, Savitha lodged a complaint with the police. The Kyathanahalli police subsequently registered a case under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have begun an investigation into the incident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged altercation.
Aishwarya is also the wife of Mandya Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Gowtham.
Reacting to the controversy, MLA B. Suresh Gowda apologised for his daughter’s alleged conduct and acknowledged that public representatives and their family members are expected to behave respectfully.
“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.
The BJP legislator also claimed that his daughter’s complaint had not been received by the police and said he had brought the matter to the notice of the Director General and Inspector General of Police, seeking a departmental inquiry.
At the same time, Suresh Gowda criticised the practice of VIP darshan at temples, arguing that it creates inconvenience for ordinary devotees and increases the burden on police personnel responsible for crowd management.
“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 MLA reiterated his apology and said his daughter’s alleged behaviour was inappropriate. He stressed that people associated with public life should maintain dignity and restraint in public places.
“On my daughter’s behalf, I apologise. As people representing the public, we have to behave respectfully in all public places. We should not show arrogance,” he said.
Suresh Gowda further noted that Aishwarya had been accompanied by her two children at the temple and said she should have exercised greater patience. He maintained that the alleged conduct was wrong and reiterated his apology while the police investigation continues.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
