The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged senior Karnataka IAS officers Rohini Sindhuri and D Roopa to resolve their ongoing defamation dispute through mediation, stating that the matter was best settled amicably rather than through prolonged adversarial proceedings that could harm their careers. A bench comprising Justices highlighted that the officers were essentially 'destroying each other's careers' and advised them to consider mediation for a speedy resolution. The court noted that both officers are competent professionals and that a prolonged legal battle would only serve to tarnish their reputations and waste judicial resources. The case involves allegations of defamation exchanged between the two officers through social media posts and official communications. The court has directed the parties to explore mediation and report back on the progress within four weeks. The matter is next scheduled for hearing in July.
Background of the Case
The dispute between Rohini Sindhuri, a 1995-batch IAS officer, and D Roopa, a 2000-batch officer, began in early 2023 when they exchanged accusations of misconduct and corruption via social media. The controversy escalated, leading to multiple complaints and counter-complaints, including defamation cases. The Supreme Court intervention came after the Karnataka High Court failed to resolve the issue.
Court’s Observations
The Supreme Court emphasized that the officers should focus on their public service duties rather than personal vendettas. The bench remarked that mediation could provide a confidential and constructive platform to address their grievances without further damaging their careers. The court also noted that the officers had earlier agreed to mediation but failed to follow through.
- The court advised both officers to appoint a mutually acceptable mediator within two weeks.
- It warned that failure to resolve the matter could lead to contempt proceedings.
- The court also directed the Karnataka government to facilitate the mediation process.
Reactions and Next Steps
Both officers have expressed willingness to consider mediation, though their legal teams have sought time to discuss the terms. The Supreme Court has made it clear that it expects a genuine effort from both sides to bury the hatchet. The next hearing is scheduled for July 10, 2026.
