The Karnataka government had to face major embarrassment after two senior female bureaucrats IAS Officer Rohini Sindhuri and IPS officer D. Roopa Moudgil went on an all-out brawl and accused each other of corruption on social media. However, IPS officer D. Roopa Moudgil went too far when she shared IAS Officer Rohini Sindhuri's private pictures and videos on Facebook accusing Rohini had violated service conduct rules by sending her nude photos to male IAS officers. When the IAS vs IPS brawl went too far, the Karnataka government on Tuesday served notices on the warring IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri and IPS officer D. Roopa Moudgil over their public spat and issued a gag order to rein them in.
According to sources reported by IANS, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) has asked the officers not to go to the media or share anything on social media against each other. Under Secretary James Tarakan issued the notices and warned them against violating rules. "In spite of having a forum to file your objections and complaints, you have gone to the media causing severe embarrassment and bringing disrepute to the government," the notice stated. Being a government officer, this conduct is not tenable and is against the Service Rules. As per rules, one can approach the media only regarding serving duties and to give information on government projects. The statements to the media should have been avoided, it further read.
Strict orders have been given to both officers not to go to the media and follow the circular of Service Rules and maintain discipline. The notice had been issued as per the directions of Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai. Both the officers had lodged complaints and counter complaints against each other with the Chief Secretary of the government Vandita Sharma. The matter was also discussed in the cabinet meeting held on Monday. The ministers had raised their concern about the public fight of officers affecting the image of the government.
Rohini Sinduri's husband had called Roopa "mentally ill", while Rohini had asked her to get well soon before the media. Reacting to this, Roopa had posted a screen shot containing deleted messages and alleged that Rohini had sent nude pictures on WhatsApp. She had questioned whether an IAS officer can send her nude pictures? Both the officers came to confrontational mode after Roopa published Rohini's private pictures and alleged that she had sent them to IAS officers and also questioned corruption allegations against her.
Why the brawl between two senior women officers?
The two women bureaucrats have indulged in a bitter spat after Roopa leveled 19 allegations against Sindhuri on Saturday. She shared seven photos on Sunday, accusing the IAS officer of sharing them with her male colleagues. Sindhuri responded to the allegation by saying Roopa was driving a “false, personal vilification campaign” and said that she would file a complaint with the authorities.
IPS Officer D Roopa posted the images on her Facebook page and alleged that Sindhuri had shared them with three IAS officers in 2021 and 2022. A day before, D Roopa had put out a long list of corruption accusations against Sindhuri. She claimed she had also complained to Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma. Furious Rohini Sindhuri said in a statement on Sunday that D Roopa was driving a "false, personal vilification campaign" against her and threatened action adding, "She collected photos from social media and screenshots of (my) WhatsApp status to defame me. As she has alleged that I sent these pictures to some officials, I urge her to reveal their names."
She further added, "Mental illness is a huge problem, it needs to be addressed by medication and counselling. When it affects people in responsible positions, it becomes all the more dangerous. Roopa IPS has been driving false, personal vilification campaigns against me which is her standard modus operandi."
(WITH INPUTS- IANS)