IAS vs IPS: Top female bureaucrats in Karnataka indulge in ugly public spat, share 'private pics' on Facebook

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has expressed displeasure against their conduct, and warned action, citing service rule violation.

In a major embarrassment to the state bureaucracy, two senior women officers in Karnataka indulged in a bitter verbal spat on social media on Sunday.

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer D Roopa Moudgil allegedly shared private photos of an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer, Rohini Sindhuri, on social media.

Listing out wrongdoings by Rohini, Roopa asked why there was no investigation against Rohini though there were murmurs of corruption.

Roopa also pointed out at Rohini's past conflicts with fellow civil servants, including then Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shilpa Nag in June 2021.

Roopa also dig up the deaths of 24 people at the Chamarajanagar government hospital due to lack of oxygen during the pandemic. There were allegations then that Mysuru had not transported enough oxygen to Chamarajanagar.

Roopa also questioned why Rohini built a swimming pool in her house in the middle of the pandemic.

Terming the allegations as baseless, Sindhuri alleged that Roopa, who holds a responsible position, is making such comments against her out of personal hatred, and was behaving as if she had lost her mental balance.

The two have accused each other of violating the Civil Services Conduct rules, and that they had brought it to the notice of the appropriate authorities.

Sindhuri has said that she will take legal and other actions with appropriate authorities for Roopa's actions amounting to misconduct and criminal offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Rohini vs Roopa: How did the ugly fight begin

The bitter fight started when images of Sindhuri sitting with Janata Dal Secular JD(S) MLA Sa Ra Mahesh in a restaurant recently went viral.

When in Mysuru, Rohini had constant bitter fights with the JD(S) MLA, with both accusing each other of corruption.

D Roopa questioned why an IAS officer would meet a politician and questioned whether a compromise was being struck.

Govt warns Roopa, Rohini

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has expressed displeasure against their conduct, and warned action, citing service rule violation.

"We are not sitting silent, action will be taken against them. They both are behaving in such a bad way that not even normal people speak on the streets. Let them do whatever on their personal issues, but coming before the media and behaving in a way they are doing is not right," Jnanendra said.

"People see IAS and IPS officers with high respect, but looking at their behaviour and conduct, they are causing disrespect and humiliation to civil services officers," he said.

"We have good officials of high ranking, they are the ones who run the state and the country, but a few such people are bringing a bad name to the whole of the official class, they have to be punished. I have spoken to DG (Director General of Police) and will be speaking to the CS (Chief Secretary); the Chief Minister is also aware of it," he added.