Amid bitter tussle over pics, IAS Rohini seeks Rs 1 cr compensation, unconditional apology from IPS

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Feb 23, 2023: An ugly spat between two senior women officers, D Roopa (IPS) and Rohini Sindhuri (IAS), has shocked many in the Karnataka administration and has left the Basavaraj Bommai government at a loss for a response. The public squabble started when IPS officer Roopa Moudgil alleged that IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri sent her compromising pictures to senior IAS officials and even shared the same on her social media.

 

Now, IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri has issued a legal notice to IPS officer D Roopa over her remarks and demanded an “unconditional apology in writing” as well as Rs 1 crore in damages “for the loss of reputation and mental agony”. The notice was issued in reference to D Roopa targetting Rohini on Facebook and levelling 19 allegations against her which include corruption and other charges. Rohini Sindhri said if her conditions are not followed then D Roopa will have to face court proceedings.

Roopa claimed that Rohini Sindhuri had violated service conduct rules by sending her photos to senior IAS officers.

"The comments/statements/allegations made by you has put our client and her family members to untold mental agony. It has ruined her image in professional, personal and social life. She is spending sleepless nights as her moral uprightness, character and conduct have become the topic of discussion amongst one and all known to her and in the administrative/bureaucratic circle in particular," the notice read.

"Though the damage caused to the image and reputation of our client cannot be measured and compensated in terms of currency, our client, however, restricts the same to a notional figure of Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Crore Only).You have made yourself liable to pay to our client the sum of Rs.1,00,00,000/-(Rupees One Crore only) as damages," it added.

The notice directed Roopa to apologise for having made the allegedly defamatory comments. She should also delete the Facebook posts about Sindhuri, according to the notice.

The notice was made public hours after Mysuru-based RTI activist Gangaraju released the audio of a purported conversation between him and Roopa.

In a Facebook post, D Roopa wrote, "Dear media, please keep the focus on the corruption issue that I have raised against Rohini Sindhuri IAS. I have not prevented anyone from fighting against corruption that affects most common man. At the same time, also inquire into the pattern...the PATTERN, where one IAS officer dies in Karnataka, one IPS officer dies in Tamil Nadu, one IAS husband-wife in Karnataka are already divorced."

"Me and my husband are still together. We are still fighting to keep the family intact. Please question the perpetrator who exhibits the pattern, becoming an obstacle to family. Else, many more families will be destroyed. I am a strong woman. I will fight. Not all women have the same strength to fight. Please be a voice to such women. India is known for family values. Let’s keep up with that. Thanks," it read.

The ugly spat forced the Karnataka CM, Bommai to intervene in the matter and resort to damage control. The women officers were transferred without posting on Feb 21 after they both complained against each other to the state’s top bureaucrat, the Chief Secretary.

The bitter public tussle between two senior women officers has reached the city civil and sessions court here, with Rohini Sindhuri Dasari filing suit against 60 respondents, including Roopa D, reported PTI. Rohini’s advocate sought an injunction restraining the media and Roopa from making and publishing false and defamatory statements against her.

Courtesy: India Today