Rohini Sindhuri Faces Defamation Proceedings As Karnataka HC Declines To Scrap IPS Officer D Roopa’s Case

The legal dispute between IPS officer D. Roopa Moudgil and IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri has moved ahead after the Karnataka High Court refused to quash a defamation case filed by Roopa. The order allows the criminal defamation proceedings against Sindhuri to continue before a Magistrate Court in Bengaluru.

With the High Court declining to interfere, the case will now proceed before the 7th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Court, which had earlier taken cognisance of the private complaint and issued notice.

Background of the defamation case

The matter dates back to 2023, when D. Roopa approached the 7th ACMM Court alleging that Rohini Sindhuri had made derogatory remarks about her during a media interaction. According to the complaint, the comments were later circulated on social media, leading to reputational damage and mental distress.

After the Magistrate Court admitted the complaint, Rohini Sindhuri moved the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the entire defamation case. In her petition, she argued that the proceedings should not be allowed to continue. The High Court has now dismissed the plea, allowing the lower court process to go on.

Social media post and alleged impact

The complaint refers to a statement made by Rohini Sindhuri to the media on 19 February 2023, which was subsequently shared on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter). Roopa has alleged that the statement contained defamatory content and gained wide public attention online.

According to the complaint, the post reportedly received around 1.8 lakh views, which increased its visibility. Roopa has claimed that the circulation of the remarks led to humiliation and affected her professional reputation.

She has further stated that following the public remarks, a transfer order was issued without assigning a clear posting, resulting in her remaining without an official assignment for nearly six months. The complaint describes this period as causing financial and professional setbacks.

Roopa has also alleged emotional distress caused to her family members following the circulation of the remarks.

With the High Court declining to cancel the proceedings, the Bengaluru Magistrate Court will now continue to examine the allegations, including the circumstances surrounding the 2023 statement and its circulation on social media. Further hearings in the case are expected in the coming weeks.