Cop depressed after being slapped by actress

The incident was telecast across television news channels and has caused a flutter among Shivkumar's family members, thereby adding to his embarrassment.

The traffic cop who was allegedly assaulted by Kannada television actress Maitreyi, claims to have slipped into depression after the incident and wants to be granted leave.

M Shivkumar, attached to Vijay Nagar traffic police station, was manning the National School junction on Friday around 12:30 pm when the car, in which the actress was traveling, jumped the signal.

He was directed by Sub Inspector G P Raju to fine the driver for the offence and things turned ugly.

"I approached the car and started taking pictures of the number plate on my mobile, but the driver got agitated and snatched my phone and threw it to the ground," said Shivkumar.

He added that when he questioned the actress, she got out of the vehicle and slapped him and soon her co-passengers joined the fray.

The incident was telecast across television news channels and has caused a flutter among Shivkumar's family members and is adding to his embarrassment.

He is basically a farmer from Channapatna taluk, and his family has been watching the drama on TV. His children have been asking, "Is this the aunty who slapped you?"

The emotional constable told this reporter, "I got 300 calls asking the same question. I cannot even go out without people asking whether I was the one who got slapped by a woman.

I have requested the higher authorities to grant me leave for a few days, but they only said that they would change my section. I am deeply depressed, please don't ask me anything."

Maitreyi said that she and her relatives had done nothing to invite the wrath of the cops. "We did nothing wrong. I had to stop because some two-wheeler stopped suddenly in front of our vehicle.

The cop demanded money on the pretext of violation of the law and when we told them that we are from the film industry, they started abusing me and taking pictures.

I questioned him and he assaulted me." She added that after being made to sit in the police station till 5 pm even though a compromise had been reached, they were sent to judicial custody and had to spend a night in jail. "I too am depressed by all this," she said.

Vinod, a witness who works in Vishnu Motors as a mechanic said, "They were arguing a lot and assaulted the police. We convinced the police to take action against them."

Defamation case

Girish, the lawyer representing Maitreyi said, "The actress and her relatives were denied provision to file a complaint first. We will be filing a defamation case against the cop for damaging her reputation."

"Maitreyi could have spoken politely and the issue could have been sorted out, but the public got annoyed over their behavior.

We had no choice but to book them. They were also booked for assaulting a government servant on duty," said Sub Inspector G P Raju.

Maitreyi was supposed to shoot for Mahalinga to be directed by Sanjay of Hudugata from May 25, but now the schedule appears to be hit.