MANDYA: Aishwarya Gowda, daughter of Tumakuru Rural MLA Suresh Gowda, has publicly apologised to PSI Savitha Patil following a high court directive in connection with an alleged assault on the police officer at Aarathi Ukkada temple in Srirangapatna taluk on August 12.In a video statement, Aishwarya expressed regret over the incident and tendered an unconditional apology to Savitha Patil, stating that the incident occurred in a moment of agitation and that she had not intended to cause pain to the police officer.The incident occurred during the Bhimana Amavasya celebrations when a large number of devotees had gathered at the temple. Savitha, who was deployed for bandobast duty from 2 pm to 10 pm, was regulating the movement of devotees to and from the sanctum sanctorum.According to the complaint, Aishwarya had visited the temple with her children and sought immediate entry into the sanctum sanctorum. The PSI reportedly told her that the area was crowded and allowing her to enter directly could lead to objections from devotees waiting in the queue. She was allegedly asked to wait for a few minutes.An argument reportedly followed, during which Aishwarya allegedly slapped and abused the PSI and obstructed her from discharging her official duty. A case was subsequently registered in connection with the incident.Aishwarya, however, filed a counter-complaint alleging that the PSI had abused her. Both complaints were being investigated and that the allegations made by both sides were being examined.The III additional district and sessions court at Srirangapatna had rejected Aishwarya’s bail petition in connection with the case and were on lookout for Aishwarya who was absconding.Later when she approached the high court for bail, the high court directed her to issue a public apology to the police officer before applying for bail. Following the directive, Aishwarya issued the video apology on social media and expressed regret over the altercation with Savitha Patil.
