The Karnataka High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Aishwarya @ Ishwarya, daughter of a BJP MLA, in a case arising from an alleged incident involving a woman police officer at a temple in Mandya district. Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty passed the order on September 22, 2026, directing that she be released on bail in the event of her arrest.
Background
The case arose from an incident reported to have taken place on August 12, 2026, at Marramma Temple at Arathi Ukkada. According to the first information placed before the Court, the petitioner had visited the temple along with two others to have darshan of the deity.
The prosecution alleged that one of the persons accompanying her attempted to enter the Garbagudi, or sanctum of the temple. When the police officer who was on bandobasth duty tried to prevent the entry, the petitioner allegedly abused her and slapped her on the cheek. An FIR was subsequently registered under Sections 132, 115(2), 352 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Aishwarya had earlier approached the Sessions Court seeking protection from arrest, but her application in Crl. Misc. No.5303/2026 was rejected on August 31, 2026. She thereafter approached the High Court.
Appearing for Aishwarya, senior counsel submitted that the incident occurred in the spur of the moment and that the alleged assault was not intentional. The Court was also informed that Aishwarya and her father had publicly tendered an unconditional apology over the incident.
The defence further submitted that she had no criminal antecedents and was willing to cooperate with the police investigation. The State opposed the petition, submitting that the investigation was still in progress.
Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty took note of the material placed before the Court showing that Aishwarya and her father had tendered a public unconditional apology. The Court also considered that the maximum punishment prescribed for the alleged offences was imprisonment for two years and that the petitioner had no other criminal antecedents.
The Court observed:
"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."
The Court also noted her undertaking to cooperate with the investigation.
The High Court allowed the petition and directed that Aishwarya be released in the event of her arrest in Crime No.127/2026. She was required to appear before the Investigating Officer within 15 days and execute a personal bond of ₹1 lakh along with two sureties for the same amount.
The Court further directed her to regularly appear before the trial court unless exempted, cooperate with the investigation, refrain from influencing prosecution witnesses, and not involve herself in similar offences in future.
Case Details:
Case Title: Smt. Aishwarya @ Ishwarya v. The State of Karnataka
Case Number: Criminal Petition No. 13991 of 2026
Judge: Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty
Decision Date: September 22, 2026
