Karnataka BJP MLA's daughter booked for 'assaulting' woman cop over temple entry queue

Police registered an FIR after a woman sub-inspector alleged that the BJP MLA’s daughter tried to bypass the queue and assaulted her. (Photo: Instagram)

NEW DELHI: The daughter of Karnataka BJP MLA B Suresh Gowda was booked for allegedly abusing and assaulting a woman police sub-inspector following an argument at a temple in Mandya district in Karnataka, police said on Friday.The incident took place on August 12 at the Maramma Temple in Ukkada village during Bhima Amavasya celebrations, news agency PTI reported.According to the complaint filed by the woman police officer, she was deployed at the temple for security duty when Aishwarya, the MLA’s daughter, allegedly sought permission to enter the sanctum without waiting in the queue.The police officer alleged that she asked Aishwarya to wait to avoid inconvenience to other devotees. According to the complaint, Aishwarya then identified herself as the daughter of an MLA and questioned why she was being stopped.The argument allegedly escalated, with Aishwarya abusing the officer and hitting her on the head. The complainant also alleged that she was threatened and prevented from performing her official duties.Based on the complaint, the Kyathanahalli police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to assaulting a public servant, causing simple hurt, intentional insult and criminal intimidation, a senior police officer said.However, the case has taken another turn, with Aishwarya filing a counter-complaint against the police officer.Police said an inquiry into her allegations has been initiated, but no FIR has been registered on the basis of her complaint so far. Further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.Speaking to reporters, Tumakuru Rural MLA B Suresh Gowda apologised for his daughter’s conduct and said that anyone found guilty should face legal consequences.”If she has committed a mistake, it is wrong. Whoever has done the mistake should face the consequences under the law,” he said.The BJP legislator said his daughter had visited the temple with her two young children and had requested permission to enter briefly because waiting in the queue could have caused inconvenience.

He also claimed that another person had been allowed to enter ahead of her, prompting his daughter to question the decision.While acknowledging that the argument had escalated, Gowda said his daughter should have shown greater restraint, particularly because she comes from a political family.”I apologise on behalf of my daughter if she has made a mistake,” he said.The MLA also called for a departmental inquiry into the incident and urged authorities to take action against anyone found responsible.