A viral CCTV video shows Karnataka BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda’s daughter, Aishwarya, slapping Police Sub-Inspector Savitha B. Patil during a temple argument on August 12, 2026. The altercation at the Aarti Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna followed a dispute over sanctum entry, prompting mutual police complaints and an apology from the lawmaker.
Temple Dispute and CCTV Footage Reveal Altercation at Aarti Ukkada Temple
What began as a crowd-control assignment during Bhima Amavasya celebrations escalated into a physical confrontation captured on security cameras. The incident occurred around 4:30 PM on August 12, 2026, at the Aarti Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk of Mandya district, as detailed in reports from The Hindu.
Police Sub-Inspector Savitha B. Patil, attached to the Mandya Women’s Police Station, was deployed at the temple for security and crowd management. Aishwarya, daughter of Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda, arrived at the shrine with two young children and attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum, or Garbha Gudi, without waiting in the regular queue.
According to the official complaint filed by PSI Patil, the officer asked Aishwarya to wait for a few minutes to prevent inconvenience to other devotees. Instead of waiting, Aishwarya identified herself as the MLA’s daughter and questioned the officer’s instructions. The argument quickly intensified.
Newly surfaced CCTV footage shows Aishwarya using her phone and attempting to make a call before striking the police officer. PSI Patil immediately responded by hitting her back. Bystanders and other individuals present at the temple quickly intervened to separate the two women, as documented by The Times of India.
Police Complaints Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Amid Counter-Allegations
Following the clash, PSI Patil filed a formal complaint at the Kyathanahalli police station. Law enforcement authorities registered an First Information Report against Aishwarya under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges cover multiple offenses, including assaulting a public servant on duty, voluntarily causing simple hurt, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation, according to coverage by The News Minute.
Photo: The News Minute
Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi confirmed that Aishwarya also lodged a counter-complaint alleging that the police officer verbally abused her during the exchange. Police officials stated that the allegations in the counter-complaint remain under examination.
The confrontation drew additional attention because Aishwarya is married to police officer Gautham, an Assistant Commissioner of Police. The circulation of the CCTV footage across social media platforms amplified public debate surrounding VIP access, protocol enforcement, and the treatment of law enforcement personnel during major religious festivals.
MLA Suresh Gowda Issues Public Apology and Calls for Departmental Inquiry
Tumakuru Rural MLA B. Suresh Gowda addressed reporters regarding the incident, offering an apology for his daughter’s conduct while raising concerns about differential treatment at religious sites. He asserted that his daughter had requested brief entry because waiting in a heavy crowd with two young children presented practical difficulties.
Photo: The Times of India
“She requested, saying, ‘I have two kids, and I am also requesting. I am also an MLA’s daughter. If possible, please try to allow me inside the temple.”
Video shows Karnataka BJP MLA’s daughter slapping woman police officer at temple
B. Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA
The legislator maintained that another police official, a Circle Inspector, had been permitted inside the sanctum around the same time, which triggered the dispute when access was denied to his daughter. At the same time, the MLA stated that anyone found to have violated rules should face legal consequences.
“In the temple, everybody goes for peace, not to create any kind of disturbance. So, regarding whatever incident has happened, if my daughter has made any mistake or violated any rules in the temple, I am sorry for it, whatever my daughter has done.”
B. Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru Rural BJP MLA
Beyond the immediate personal apology, the MLA called for a departmental inquiry into the episode.
