Days after BJP MLA Suresh Gowda’s daughter Aishwarya was booked for allegedly assaulting Police Sub-Inspector Savitha B. Patil at a temple in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district, a video purportedly showing the MLA’s daughter slapping the woman police officer has gone viral.
The video, apparently from a CCTV camera, shows Ms. Aishwarya slapping Ms. Savitha, who is standing next to her at the temple, prompting an immediate response from the officer, who strikes back. An argument had broken out between the MLA’s daughter and the police officer over the former’s attempt to enter the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Soon after the exchange turned physical, bystanders stepped in and separated the two.
A police official at the jurisdictional Kyathanahalli police station in Srirangapatna told The Hindu that an FIR has been registered against Aishwarya, daughter of Tumkur Rural MLA Suresh Gowda, based on a complaint filed by Ms. Patil. Though a counter-complaint has also been lodged by Aishwarya, police said they are still examining it. As of now, only one FIR has been registered.
Sources said the incident occurred on August 12 during Bhimana Amavasya rituals at the Aarti Ukkada Temple in Srirangapatna taluk. Ms. Aishwarya, who arrived at the temple, objected to Ms. Patil, who is attached to the Mandya Women’s Police Station and was posted at the temple, blocking her entry into the temple.
In her complaint, Ms. Patil said Aishwarya verbally abused and slapped her while she was carrying out her duties. Aishwarya, who is also married to a police officer, has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita. The FIR includes charges of assault on a public servant, obstructing duty, intentional insult and criminal intimidation.
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