SC stays criminal defamation case against IPS Roopa by IAS Sindhuri and lists the matter for hearing on January 12, 2024

The Supreme Court (SC) bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Abhay S Oka was hearing a criminal defamation case, (Karnataka-based civil servants) filed by IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri against IPS officer D Roopa on December 15, 2023. The bench ordered an interim stay on the proceedings of the criminal defamation case and listed the matter for hearing on January 12, 2024. While listing the matter, the SC bench directed Karnataka-based civil servants not to speak to the media. The order reads, “Considering the fact that we are making an attempt to resolve all the disputes pending between the parties, none of them shall give any interview or any information to the media, social and print, in any form.” 

The plea under consideration was against the decision of the Karnataka High Court which was passed in August 2023, where it refused to quash a criminal defamation case initiated by IAS Sindhuri against IPS Roopa. Earlier on December 14, 2023, the SC asked IPS Roopa to delete her social media posts against IAS Sindhuri and told her to submit an affidavit by December 15 explaining the posts deleted and the reasons for those that could not be deleted. The bench added to at least put up a post withdrawing all her comments against Sindhuri.