Karnataka High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To BJP MLA's Daughter Booked For Slapping Cop, Notes Her Public Apology

The Karnataka High Court has granted anticipatory bail to BJP MLA B. Suresh Gowda's daughter who is accused of assaulting a woman Police Sub Inspector (PSI) at Maramma temple in Arathi Ukkada. 

Allowing the petition seeking anticipatory bail, Justice S Vishwajith Shetty noted that the incident took place on the spur of the moment, the petitioner and her father had already issued an unconditional public apology, she had no prior criminal antecedents, and she had undertaken to cooperate with the police in the investigation.

“The material on record would go to show that the petitioner is the daughter of MLA and her husband is a serving Deputy Superintendent of Police… Learned Senior Counsel has produced material before this Court which would prima facie go to show that petitioner as well as her father have tendered unconditional apology publicly for the untoward incident that had taken place on 12.08.2026,” the High Court observed.

“Petitioner who has no other criminal antecedents, has undertaken to cooperate with the police for the purpose of investigation. Considering the aforesaid aspects of the matter, I am of the opinion that petitioner's prayer for grant of anticipatory bail is required to be answered affirmatively,” it added.

Accordingly, the High Court directed the police to release the petitioner in the event of her arrest, subject to her executing a personal bond of Rs. 1 lakh with two sureties of like sum. The Court also directed the petitioner to appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days, regularly appear before the trial court, not tamper with prosecution witnesses, and cooperate with the police.

Background

The case arose from an FIR registered at the Kyathanahalli Police Station, Mandya District, based on a first information report lodged on August 12, 2026, by Savitha B. Police Patil, PSI of the Women Police Station, Mandya.

According to the complainant, when she was deployed on bandobasth duty at the Marramma Temple at Arathi Ukkada around 4:30 pm, the petitioner and two others arrived for darshan. When one of the companions attempted to enter the sanctum sanctorum, the complainant tried to restrain him. Following this, the petitioner verbally abused the PSI and slapped her on the cheek.

Apprehending arrest, the petitioner approached the jurisdictional sessions court, which rejected her anticipatory bail application on August 31, 2026, prompting her to approach the High Court.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the assault was not intentional but occurred on the spur of the moment. He said that both the petitioner and her father had publicly tendered an unconditional apology for the mistake. He further submitted that the alleged offences carry a maximum imprisonment of two years, that the petitioner has clean antecedents, and that she is fully prepared to cooperate with the police, while seeking anticipatory bail.

Case: AISHWARYA @ ISHWARYA VS STATE OF KARNATAKA

CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 13991 OF 2026