The Supreme Court was hearing Moudgil’s appeal against a Karnataka High Court order passed in August this year. In the said order, the High Court had refused to quash a criminal defamation case initiated by Sindhuri against Moudgil.
On February 18 this year, Sindhuri discovered that Moudgil had made several allegations against her in Facebook posts. In these posts, Moudgil accused Sindhuri of sharing her private pictures 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 and demanded an unconditional apology and ₹1 crore in damages for the loss of her reputation and mental agony.
On March 24, a Bengaluru court, which was hearing the private suit filed by Sindhuri, ordered the initiation of a criminal defamation case against Roopa.
Moudgil then moved the High Court to have the same quashed. On August 21, the Karnataka High Court rejected her plea.
High Court judge Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum observed that Moudgil’s statements on social media account and print media warranted a criminal trial.
Moudgil then approached the apex court.
On December 13 (Wednesday), the Supreme Court recommended mediation in the matter in view of the high ranks of the parties involved. Public spats between such officials would demean the administration and its image, the top court had remarked. Justice Oka also advised the two officers to avoid ‘mud-slinging.’
A day later, on December 14 (Thursday) the top court suggested that the IPS officer give an undertaking that she would remove all social media posts against Sindhuri and apologise so that the issue could be settled.
The bench further commented that if the officers continued to fight and refuse meditation, the State administration would come to a standstill.
Source: Barandbench
