Karwar: An inquiry has been initiated into an incident where a Bhatkal head constable was allegedly slapped by a Gokaran sub-inspector during a visit to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Narayan confirmed the investigation and urged against any communal interpretation of the event.

Following reports circulating on social media and news platforms, SP M. Narayan issued a statement on his Facebook page clarifying the situation. He explained that due to a large number of devotees at the Mahabaleshwar Temple, visitors were being directed in an orderly manner for darshan. The Bhatkal head constable, who was not in police uniform at the time, entered for darshan, which led to an exchange of words with a female constable on duty.

Subsequently, Gokarna Sub-Inspector Khader Basha intervened, and an incident reportedly occurred between him and the head constable. This was later widely circulated on social media and news outlets.

SP Narayan stated that the Bhatkal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) has been assigned to investigate the matter. He also noted that certain media reports have given a communal angle to the incident. He urged media and social media users not to spread misleading narratives until the investigation determines the facts.