The investigation of the verbal abuse and life threats to Sidlaghatta Municipal Commissioner Amrutha Gowda has taken a dark turn. A prominent local government leader is now in hot water after police discovered a long criminal record, and Rajeev Gowda, the 2023 Assembly candidate and political leader of the Congress, has faced opposition.
After nine days in pre-trial trouble, he managed to outsmart the cops and the Chikkaballapur District SP, Kushal Chaukse, confirmed recently that Rajeev Gowda is not merely a disgruntled politician but an already-known "notorious" figure, with 16 criminal charges logged against him.
A Dark Criminal History
The SP was also revealed during a hearing that sent shock waves through the district. Rajeev Gowda's criminal portfolio allegedly covers a broad spectrum of grave crimes:
- SC/ST Atrocity Cases: Multiple counts of harassment and discrimination.
- Cheating and Fraud: Claims of cheats and fraud against citizens.
- Criminal Intimidation: A pattern of using threats to circumvent administrative processes.
Police authorities remarked that while Gowda presented himself as a “servant of the people,” his “criminal kundali” (horoscope) indicates that he was a local strongman for years.
The Incident: Dangers to a Public Servant
This crisis began on Jan 14, 2026, when an audio clip went viral. Rajeev Gowda is heard swearing profanely at Commissioner Amrutha Gowda in the video and threatening to “set fire” to her office after she took down an unlawful banner blocking traffic.
Amrutha Gowda, a one-time software engineer who joined the KAS to serve the people, broke down before the media claiming she hadn't been subjected to such "vile behavior" in her career thus far.
Court Rap and Legal Battles
Rajeev Gowda, wishing to avoid arrest, moved the Karnataka High Court to quash the two lodged FIRs against him. But the High Court bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna went on to reprimand the politician severely. “Unbridled tongue, if not tamed, can destroy everything,” said the judge, who asked why the police had not invoked even tougher sections for insulting the modesty of a woman.
On January 22 of the week, the legal action moves onto the Second Sessions Court, in Chintamani, where a hearing is set to hear his interim bail petition. The police have vocally opposed bail, citing his flight risk and criminal history.
Political Fallout
The damage is heavy to the ruling party. The KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) has formally recommended expulsion of Rajeev Gowda. The party has been close to senior state ministers but has asserted that such "rowdyism" against female police officers will not be accepted.
Police Manhunt Continues
Despite 16 cases as well as multiple teams following his steps, Rajeev Gowda continues to give the Chikkaballapur police the pass. Speculation abounds that, in effect, he may be getting political protection from local authorities. But SP Kushal Chaukse seems to have told the public that soon the shackles of the criminal justice system will come to heel when they meet him.
