The Supreme Court has appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph as a mediator to resolve the personal feud between Karnataka IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri and IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil. The court noted that both officers were “destroying each other’s careers” through their ongoing dispute.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict stems from public allegations made by the two officers against each other in 2023. This led to defamation proceedings being initiated by both parties. The dispute escalated when Sindhuri filed a criminal defamation case against Roopa, accusing her of carrying out a “character assassination” through social media posts.
Supreme Court's Observations
A Bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva observed that both officers were excellent in their professional capacities but were harming each other's careers. The court stated, “Both are excellent officers. They are ruining each other’s careers... This court is of the opinion that the matter can be resolved by way of mediation.”
Mediation Order
The top court directed the officers to appear before Justice Kurian Joseph for mediation. It also stayed all further proceedings in the pending cases between the two officers until further orders. The court emphasized that mediation was the best way to resolve the dispute.
Legal Proceedings
The order came on an appeal filed by Roopa against the Karnataka High Court’s refusal to quash the criminal defamation case filed by Sindhuri. The High Court had upheld a magistrate’s order taking cognizance of the case, stating that whether the alleged statements were made in good faith or for public good was a matter of evidence to be decided during trial.
Allegations
In her defamation complaint, Sindhuri alleged that Roopa shared photos and made allegations on media and social media questioning her personal and professional conduct, aiming to tarnish her image before the public and colleagues.
Following the public spat, the Karnataka Government had transferred both officers. The Supreme Court's intervention aims to bring an amicable resolution to the feud.
