Published Feb 24, 2023 | 8:21 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2023 | 8:21 AM
IPS D Roopa and IAS Rohini Sindhuri. (Supplied)
The City Civil Court in Bengaluru issued notices to IPS officer Roopa D Moudgil and several news organisations on Thursday, 23 February, restraining them from making defamatory statements against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
However, the court has not ordered an ex parte injunction and allowed Roopa D and others to file objections.
The bitter public spat between the two senior women officers reached the court on Tuesday — the same day they were transferred without posts — with IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri Dasari filing suit against 60 respondents, including IPS officer Roopa D.
The suit came up for hearing before the LXXIII Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge on Wednesday, and was adjourned for orders to Thursday.
Rohini’s advocate sought an injunction restraining the media and Roopa D from making and publishing false and defamatory statements against her.
The court was told that as per service rules, Rohini has already filed a complaint with the chief secretary of Karnataka and has also lodged a police complaint against Roopa D.
On Wednesday, advocates of Rohini Sindhuri also served a notice to Roopa D demanding ₹1 crore in damages for defamation and an unconditional apology. The notice threatened to take further action against the IPS officer for “causing mental agony” to Rohini Sindhuri.
The advocate alleged that Roopa D had obtained details from mobile phones illegally and released them in the public domain. The suit claimed that the IPS officer had released private photos of Rohini on her Facebook page and also disclosed her mobile number.
While Roopa has been accusing Rohini of indulging in malpractice and irregularities for over 20 days, the issue grabbed eyeballs on Sunday, 19 February, when she took to social media and posted pictures of Rohini Sindhuri, alleging that the latter had shared them with multiple male IAS officers, and questioning her intent.
Along with the photos, Roopa had also levelled allegations of irregularities, corruption and misuse of office against the IAS officer.
Sindhuri has vehemently denied the allegations. Terming them baseless, Sindhuri, in turn, contended that Roopa, who holds a responsible position, was making such comments against her out of “personal hatred”.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Monday expressed displeasure over the two officials indulging in a public spat and warned of action, citing service conduct rule violations.
While deeming it a “personal issue”, the home minister seemed to brush aside the more serious allegations.
With the public spat causing embarrassment, the two officers were transferred without posting by the state government on Tuesday.
Rohini was the commissioner for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments while Roopa was the managing director of Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation.
Roopa’s husband Munish Moudgil, who was commissioner of Survey Settlement and Land Records, was also transferred to the post of principal secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, with immediate effect.
(With PTI inputs)
