The Supreme Court has extended the interim stay on defamation proceedings against IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil until November 5, coinciding with the final hearing of the case. The legal dispute involves a personal and professional conflict between D Roopa and IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has extended the interim stay on the defamation proceedings against IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil until November 5, when the final hearing of the case is scheduled to take place. This legal conflict, which has attracted significant public attention, is rooted in a personal and professional conflict between two senior officers from Karnataka—IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri and IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil.
The bench, comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice AG Masih, granted an extension after accepting IPS D Roopa’s petition. The hearing was held on her request to quash the defamation suit filed by IAS Rohini Sindhuri.
The highly publicized dispute began when some controversial photographs were circulated online, allegedly involving both officers. According to reports, IAS Rohini Sindhuri had allegedly uploaded some personal photos of IPS D Roopa on social media, which sparked outrage and discontent from Roopa. In response, Roopa took to social media herself and posted photos of IAS Rohini, intensifying the conflict between the two government officials.
“IAS Rohini posted several pictures of IPS D Roopa on social media.”
-according to sources familiar with the case.
When IPS Roopa became aware of these actions, she reportedly “objected to it” publicly, which marked the beginning of the legal confrontation.
In retaliation to these actions, IPS D Roopa shared additional photographs of IAS Rohini on social media. The controversy took a more serious turn when D Roopa made bold claims about Rohini’s behavior.
“The IPS officer alleged that IAS Rohini had sent her pictures to three male IPS officers using her own phone.”
– sources revealed.
This allegation stirred further debates and placed Sindhuri in the spotlight, leading her to take legal action.
Rohini Sindhuri responded by filing a defamation case against D Roopa, claiming that her reputation, both personally and professionally, had been tarnished due to these actions. The case has since been a hot topic in Karnataka’s bureaucratic circles, with both sides sticking firmly to their positions. Sindhuri sought compensation of Rs 1 crore, accusing Roopa of deliberate actions aimed at causing personal and social harm.
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“These actions were undertaken with the aim of damaging their personal, social, and professional lives.”
– Rohini asserted in her court filing.
Furthermore, she alleged that the IPS officer was attempting to “extort money” from her through these deliberate actions.
The lower courts accepted Rohini Sindhuri’s complaint and issued a summons to IPS D Roopa, marking the official start of the defamation case. As part of her legal plea, Rohini Sindhuri not only sought compensation but also urged the court to take stringent action against the IPS officer for allegedly damaging her reputation.
The legal dispute, however, took a new turn when D Roopa decided to contest the defamation suit in the country’s highest court.
After the defamation case was initiated, IPS D Roopa made a significant move by approaching the Supreme Court, seeking relief from the ongoing legal proceedings. In her petition, Roopa not only requested the Supreme Court to quash the criminal defamation case against her but also demanded that action be taken against IAS Rohini Sindhuri for her alleged role in the conflict.
Roopa argued that the charges against her were baseless and that she was merely responding to provocations initiated by Rohini Sindhuri.
“She [D Roopa] submitted an application to the Supreme Court requesting the dismissal of the criminal defamation case filed against her.”
-explained legal sources familiar with the case.
Roopa also pressed for legal consequences to be imposed on Rohini, suggesting that the original allegations were part of a broader attempt to damage her standing within the public and professional spheres.
The bench of the Supreme Court, while acknowledging the gravity of the case, decided to extend the interim stay on the defamation proceedings.
“The Supreme Court has extended the interim stay on the proceedings in the defamation case against IPS D Roopa till November 5,”
-the ruling stated.
This extension provides temporary relief to Roopa while the court continues to deliberate on the complex issues at hand.
The final hearing scheduled for November 5.