The Supreme Court of India once again encouraged mediation between Indian Police Service (IPS) officer D Roopa Moudgil and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Rohini Sindhuri, amid their ongoing conflict. The Bench, comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, was reviewing a petition by Sindhuri challenging a Karnataka High Court decision that upheld a trial court’s acknowledgment of a defamation case Moudgil filed against her. The case, Rohini Sindhuri v. Roopa Divakar Moudgil, traces its origins to a public disagreement that began in 2023.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the potential career ramifications for both officers due to the litigation. “Both are excellent officers. They are ruining each other’s career…This court is of the opinion that the matter can be resolved by way of mediation,” remarked the Bench.
In response to the ongoing nature of the dispute and the significant roles occupied by the involved parties, the court appointed former Supreme Court judge, Justice Kurian Joseph, to mediate a potential resolution. The conflict originated in February 2023 when Sindhuri alleged that Moudgil made unfounded accusations against her via Facebook, claiming Sindhuri had shared her private images with other IAS officers. This led to a publicized exchange that resulted in both officers being transferred by the Karnataka government.
Subsequently, Sindhuri issued a legal notice demanding an unconditional apology from Moudgil and sought ₹1 crore in damages for reputational harm and emotional distress. In March 2023, the Bengaluru court recognized Sindhuri’s complaint, initiating criminal defamation proceedings against Moudgil. Moudgil’s appeal to quash the case before the Karnataka High Court was denied, leading to the Supreme Court’s involvement in December 2023.
The Supreme Court, led by then-Justice Abhay S Oka, expressed concern over the public nature of the dispute, emphasizing its potential negative impact on governance and administration. The court stayed the criminal defamation proceedings, urged both officers to refrain from media interactions, and suggested that Moudgil consider deleting the contentious posts and offering an apology.
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Despite numerous attempts at mediation, no resolution was achieved. Sindhuri maintained that the allegations had irreversibly damaged her reputation and was reluctant to settle. In November 2024, the court permitted Moudgil to withdraw her plea to quash the defamation case, leading to a continuation of the trial.
The prolonged litigation highlights the challenges faced by senior civil servants involved in public disputes, with the Supreme Court emphasizing the importance of resolving such conflicts through dialogue and understanding to preserve their professional integrity and effectiveness.
