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Rajeev Gowda, the KPCC state coordinator, allegedly threatened commissioner Amrutha Gowda after the municipal council’s removal of illegal banners
Accused Rajeev Gowda (left) and Commissioner Amrutha Gowda. (News18)
A political firestorm has erupted in Karnataka’s Siddlaghatta district following serious allegations that a senior Congress leader subjected the Siddlaghatta City Municipal Council Commissioner to a barrage of abuses, including death threats. The controversy centres on a recorded phone call in which Rajeev Gowda, the KPCC state coordinator and a former assembly candidate, allegedly threatened commissioner Amrutha Gowda.
The confrontation reportedly stemmed from the municipal council’s removal of illegal banners that had been erected in the middle of a public road, a move that appears to have infuriated the Congress leader.
According to the official complaint lodged with the police, Gowda is accused of calling the commissioner and using highly offensive language to question the removal of his promotional materials. The complaint details a harrowing sequence of threats, where the leader allegedly warned the officer that he would set people on fire, instigate riots, and physically assault her with footwear. The abuse was reportedly not limited to the commissioner alone; the complaint alleges that derogatory language was also directed at the local MLA, BN Ravikumar, during the telephonic altercation.
The escalating situation has now drawn the attention of the Karnataka State Commission for Women. Taking serious note of the verbal assault on a female officer, the commission’s chairperson, Dr Nagalakshmi Chowdhary, has officially intervened by writing a letter to the Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police. Chowdhary has demanded a comprehensive report on the incident, specifically highlighting the reports of life threats and the inflammatory language used against the commissioner. The commission has directed the police to thoroughly investigate the claims of rioting threats and the alleged vow to assault the officer with footwear, insisting that appropriate legal action be taken immediately to protect the dignity of women in public service.
During a subsequent gathering, Gowda was seen breaking down in tears. The alleged threats have created an atmosphere of fear among the officials and staff of the Siddlaghatta City Municipal Council, prompting immediate collective action. In a show of solidarity, civic workers staged a protest outside the council office, beating ‘tamate’ drums and raising slogans against the Congress leader’s conduct. The demonstration escalated into a protest march through the town, culminating in the workers submitting formal complaints to both the city police station and the Tahsildar.
The release of the audio recording has caused significant embarrassment for the ruling Congress government in Karnataka, drawing sharp criticism regarding the conduct of its party functionaries. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar addressed the media, asserting that the party would not shield anyone found guilty of misconduct. He stated that the law would take its course and emphasised that “nobody is above the law”, signalling that the government might not interfere with the police investigation despite the accused’s party affiliation.
However, the opposition BJP has seized upon the incident to attack the state government’s record on law and order. BJP state president BY Vijayendra took to social media platform X to condemn the incident, describing the current administration as “Gunda Raj”. In a scathing post, he argued that law and order have completely collapsed under the Congress government and that the behaviour of its leaders reflects a culture of hooliganism. He termed the abuse of a lady officer on duty as inexcusable, demanding strict action against what he described as the “uncivilised behaviour” of the Congress leader.
January 15, 2026, 09:30 IST
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