Justice Delivered: Karnataka High Court Directs DoPT to Review IPS Roopa’s Promotion Application
BENGALURU: The High Court has directed IG D. Roopa Moudgil to submit a new application for promotion to the position of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP). The government has been instructed to review the application within two months in compliance with the law.
In a recent ruling, Justice M Nagaprasanna, presiding over a single-member bench, addressed the criminal defamation case filed by IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri as a private matter. This decision was made while considering Roopa’s plea for the state Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to evaluate her promotion objectively, free from external influence.
The bench deemed it inappropriate for IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri to file an interim application in this case, as she was not deemed a necessary party. Roopa was advised to submit a fresh application to the DoPT, with a decision expected within eight weeks.
During the proceedings, Rohini Sindhuri’s legal representative argued that Rohini was the subject of a criminal defamation case initiated by Roopa, requesting an intervention. However, the bench emphasized that the promotion process is confidential under DoPT regulations.
Rohini’s lawyer pointed out that despite the closure of the investigation into the complaint, the promotion had not been granted. The Advocate General and the Law Department clarified that the disputes between them and Rohini were personal matters and did not affect service terms.
The bench ruled that Rohini was not a necessary party in this matter, emphasizing that it concerned the DoPT and Roopa exclusively. The petition was verbally dismissed, with further applications discouraged.
What is the case about? The criminal defamation case filed by IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri is a private suit in which she has petitioned the state government for a fair promotion without bias. Sindhuri has also filed a criminal defamation case against Roopa for a Facebook post that she found objectionable. In turn, Roopa has filed a defamation case against Sindhuri. The case has now escalated to the Supreme Court, where it is being heard due to the agreement of both officers to undergo mediation.
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