Bengaluru court bars circulation of defamatory content against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri in suit against Roopa Moudgil, media
A Bengaluru court on Thursday passed an ex-parte temporary injunction restraining IPS officer D Roopa Moudgil and 59 media companies from broadcasting defamatory content and making objectionable statements against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge KS Gangannavar noted that issuing an order of temporary injunction would not interfere with the service rules regulating the conduct of both officers.
The court also clarified that Sindhuri was to restrain herself from publishing or circulating any views concerning the subject matter of the suit.
"As such at this stage it is noticed that issuance of TI against defendant No.60 would not come in the conduct and discharge of duties and functions of a public servant. Hence, emergent notice of TI shall be issued to defendant No.60. At the same time, it is made clear that plaintiff shall restrain herself from publishing or circulating any statements or expressions or views concerning the subject matter of this suit," the order stated.
The suit by Sindhuri was filed through Advocate Channabasappa SN, who argued that Moudgil had illegally obtained information from his client's mobile phone while she was heading the cyber division. The lawyer also claimed that Moudgil had published private photos of Sindhuri on Facebook and revealed her private mobile number, which resulted in hundreds of strangers calling her.
One of the defendant companies filed a caveat. Thus, the court issued emergent notice and suit summons on the application, and passed the temporary injunction to the rest of the 59 defendants, including Moudgil.
On February 18, Sindhuri had discovered that Moudgil had made several allegations against her in Facebook posts. In these posts, Moudgil accused Sindhuri of sharing her pictures, including explicit ones, with fellow IAS officers.
This led to a public spat between the two, prompting the State government to transfer both officers.
On February 21, Sindhuri issued a legal notice to Moudgil over her actions and demanded an unconditional apology in writing as well as ₹1 crore in damages for the loss of her reputation and mental agony.
