A serious controversy has erupted in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district after the Shidlaghatta City Municipal Council commissioner, Amrutha Gowda, filed a police complaint against Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, accusing him of verbal abuse, use of obscene language, and issuing life threats. The incident is linked to the removal of an allegedly illegal banner in Shidlaghatta town and has sparked political outrage, administrative unrest, and a broader debate on the safety and independence of women officers in public service.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred after municipal authorities removed a flex banner that had been erected without permission in a busy area of the town. Commissioner Amrutha Gowda stated that the banner was tied in the middle of the road, posing a risk to public safety and potentially causing accidents. Acting on a complaint received by the municipal body, officials removed the banner following established procedures. This action, she alleged, provoked an angry response from Congress leader Rajeev Gowda, who subsequently called her on the phone and subjected her to verbal abuse and threats.

Confirming the registration of the case, Shidlaghatta police station inspector Venu Gopal said that multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked against Rajeev Gowda. These include Section 79, which deals with acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman; Section 132, relating to criminal force used to deter a public servant from discharging official duties; Section 352, which covers intentional insult; and Sections 199 and 54, pertaining to abetment and the presence of an abettor at the time of the offence. “We have registered the case based on the commissioner’s complaint. An investigation has been launched, and a notice will be served to the accused soon,” the inspector said.

In her detailed complaint, Amrutha Gowda described the phone call as deeply disturbing and traumatising. She stated that she was abused using obscene language and threatened over the phone, leaving her fearful for her personal safety. “I am living alone at the headquarters, and therefore I fear for my safety. I have been mentally traumatised by this incident. Rajeev Gowda should be held responsible for any untoward incident that may happen to me in the future,” she said, seeking immediate police protection and strict legal action against the accused.

Speaking to the media later, the commissioner reiterated that the banner was removed strictly in accordance with rules and regulations. She explained that the municipal council had received a formal complaint about the banner, which was installed without permission and in a location that obstructed traffic. “It was tied right in the middle of the road and was causing accidents. If an accident occurs, the responsibility will fall on the municipal authorities. No permission was taken to erect the banner,” she said.

Amrutha Gowda also rejected any suggestion of political motivation behind the removal. “We removed the banner following due procedure. There was no political pressure behind this action. We had informed the concerned councillor and even suggested that the banner could be installed at another permitted location. Despite this, I was subjected to filthy and abusive language for simply doing my duty,” she said. She added that such incidents take a heavy toll on officers, particularly women, who are expected to work independently and enforce rules without fear or favour.

“This incident has shaken my confidence,” the commissioner said. “As a woman officer working alone, such threats seriously affect our ability to work freely and fearlessly. If officers are intimidated for enforcing the law, it becomes extremely difficult to uphold public interest and administrative discipline.”

The controversy intensified after an audio clip of the alleged abusive phone call went viral on social media. In response, Rajeev Gowda denied issuing any life threats to the commissioner. He claimed that the audio clip circulating online had been edited to misrepresent his words. “I have not spoken badly to the officer. If she has felt hurt, I apologise,” he said. Acknowledging that the voice in the audio was his, Rajeev Gowda insisted that he never threatened to set the officer on fire. “I only said I would burn the flex banner, not harm her. The audio has been twisted to make it appear otherwise,” he claimed.

He further stated that he spoke out of frustration, alleging that the officer was not functioning properly. “If I have made a mistake, I am ready to face any action,” he said, while maintaining that he had no intention of threatening or intimidating the commissioner.

Despite his denial, the incident triggered strong reactions from municipal employees and political leaders. Employees of the Shidlaghatta City Municipal Council staged a protest outside their office, demanding strict action against Rajeev Gowda. The protesting staff alleged that the Congress leader had abused and threatened their commissioner for carrying out her official duties and said such behaviour could not be tolerated. They called for institutional support to ensure the safety and dignity of government officers.

The issue has also taken a sharp political turn. Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular), demanded Rajeev Gowda’s immediate arrest, accusing the ruling Congress of shielding its leaders. They argued that the incident reflects a broader pattern of political interference and intimidation of officials.

Former chief minister and Union minister H D Kumaraswamy personally called Karnataka chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh to express his concern over the incident. According to sources, Kumaraswamy questioned how women officers could function independently if they were subjected to threats and abuse for enforcing the law. “If this is how women officers are treated, how can they work freely and fearlessly?” he reportedly asked, urging the state administration to take firm action.

The case has reignited discussions around the safety of women in public service and the pressures faced by bureaucrats at the grassroots level. Many civil servants and activists have pointed out that intimidation of officials undermines governance and weakens public trust in institutions. The incident in Shidlaghatta, they argue, highlights the need for stronger mechanisms to protect officers, particularly women, from harassment and political pressure.

As the police investigation continues, the outcome of the case is likely to have wider implications, not only for the individuals involved but also for the political climate in Karnataka. For now, the complaint filed by Amrutha Gowda has brought into sharp focus the challenges faced by officials enforcing the law and the urgent need to ensure that they can perform their duties without fear, intimidation, or abuse.