Mandya: CCTV footage of an alleged fight between the daughter of a sitting Karnataka MLA and a woman police sub-inspector in the Arathi Ukkada temple in Mandya district has been released online, which has brought back to light the incident reported earlier this month. The footage shows the two women in a physical fight in its midst in the temple’s inner sanctum, but the circumstances leading up to the fight are not captured in the film.
The incident took place on August 12 at 8:15 pm when PSI Savitha B of Mandya Women’s Police Station was deployed for special security duty at the temple during Bhima Amavasya. The temple was reported to be full of devotees and police personnel were assigned to manage security and control entry to sensitive areas.
According to the complaint filed by the police officer, the dispute began after Aishwarya, daughter of Tumakuru Rural MLA B Suresh Gowda and wife of ACP Gautham, expressed her anger at the delay in allowing her to have darshan. The complaint says that the argument escalated and Aishwarya verbally attacked and slapped the PSI.
The police officer said she was physically assaulted, prevented from carrying out her official duties and threatened during the confrontation. Aishwarya filed an FIR at Kyathanahalli Police Station. The case was registered under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
CCTV footage brought another layer to the story. The footage clearly shows the confrontation taking place in front of the temple sanctum, but it is not sufficient to know what was said or what happened in the moment before the physical assault took place. The allegations made by both sides are of course very important in the course of the investigation.
The Mandya Superintendent of Police has also confirmed that a counter-complaint was filed by Aishwarya. She accused the PSI of abuse in the argument. This means that not only is the police officer’s complaint being taken into account, but both women involved in the dispute have made allegations.
The issue has also gained political attention because of Aishwarya’s relation to MLA B Suresh Gowda. The MLA has apologised after the incident, according to the report. Gowda said that his daughter had visited the temple with her two children and had made an application for permission to enter the sanctum sanctorum for darshan. Police had initially prevented her from entering, he said, while a circle inspector had let her into the sanctum sanctorum.
The incident has also triggered an intervention from the Karnataka State Women’s Commission. The Commission requested immediate action against the alleged assault of the woman PSI in the course of her official duties. It also wanted to know what the police did to the victim and what action was taken.
The case has generated discussion of the treatment police personnel face in the context of security while performing their duty as police officers, especially when the city is full of religious devotees. Police officers in temples and other places manage people, manage crowds and perform security work. That is why the entry and darshan arrangements can be controversial if there are many people.
Karnataka, Cop slaps sense into BJP MLA's daughter
— D (@Deb_livnletliv) August 25, 2026
B Suresh Gowda's daughter Aishwarya thought she is privileged enough to enter temple's sanctum sanctom. When stopped she slaps a lady cop..
But this time a Lady Cop refused to bow down and returned back the favour 😂 pic.twitter.com/EMLi1hMi8r
At the same time, the counter-complaint means that investigators will have to weigh up the allegations of both sides before determining who is responsible for the confrontation. CCTV footage, witness accounts and other evidence would probably be important to establish the sequence of events.
As the video spreads online, the incident has galvanized Karnataka. It also illustrates the importance of having the investigation and legal process to establish the facts, particularly when allegations involve a public representative’s family member and a police officer who was on duty.
The investigation of the August 12 incident is ongoing while the allegations against both parties are subject to due legal process.
