Bengaluru court orders call record preservation in IAS-IPS defamation case

A Bengaluru magistrate’s court has directed telecom firms Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to preserve call detail records (CDRs) linked to a legal dispute between IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri and IPS officer Roopa D. The order, issued on February 15, mandates the retention of CDRs from January 15, 2021, to February 28, 2023, for two specific numbers relevant to the case.

Also read: D Roopa files defamation suit against Rohini Sindhuri

The directive follows a criminal defamation suit filed by Sindhuri in 2023 under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code. She has accused Roopa of making defamatory statements on social media and in the media, allegedly damaging her reputation. The case sought Rs 1 crore in damages.

The legal battle has seen multiple court proceedings. The Karnataka High Court had refused to quash the case in August 2023, and Roopa subsequently approached the Supreme Court. In December 2023, the apex court temporarily stayed the case and urged reconciliation. Although Roopa deleted the contentious posts, Sindhuri demanded an apology.

With no settlement reached, Roopa withdrew her Supreme Court petition in November 2024, allowing the defamation case to proceed. The magistrate’s court also rejected Sindhuri’s plea to avoid cross-examination, stating no valid grounds for exemption.

The feud, which erupted publicly in early 2023, had briefly left both officers without government postings. The case continues as court proceedings resume.