https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

I Don’t Think Much about Personal Consequences: D Roopa

As a firebrand IPS officer who shot to national limelight few years ago for exposing alleged prison irregularities being committed to provide favours to a close associate of J Jayalalitha, former AIADMK chief, D Roopa is no stranger to such confrontations in the galleries of power. But she moves on unconcerned and she is not bothered about consequences of her actions, she told Indian Masterminds in an exclusive interview.
Indian Masterminds Stories

It’s not often that jail inmates observe fast or go on a strike in protest against the transfer of a prison officer. Very rarely does that happen- because normally, say 99 times out of 100, the prisoners and jail officials do not see eye to eye. One glorious exception to this norm is IPS officer Roopa Divakar Moudgil.

While the prisoners want luxury in jail also, the officer has to work to ensure the opposite. 

Ms. Roopa was also posted as IG (Railways) in Bengaluru

It was 2017, when this no-nonsense officer exposed the alleged irregularities in Parappana Agrahara Central prison in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In her detailed report she held that one of the inmates, AIADMK general secretary V K Shashikala (also a close confidante of party supremo J Jayalalitha)  was enjoying “luxurious services’’ in the jail, extended by the officials there. Ms. Shashikala was given a whole corridor comprised of five cells and a meeting room for her personal use. She was also given a kitchen to cook meals for her and the visiting hours for her were also relaxed. Ms Roopa had to pay for standing up to what she perceived as gross irregularity in the prison. About a fortnight after her expose, she was transferred. Immediately afterwards, the inmates of the jail went on a flash strike against the transfer.

Ms. Roopa posing for a click

This was neither the first nor the last time when Ms. Roopa showed her courage and stood up against the system. Currently, she is appointed as the Home Secretary to the government of Karnataka.

Duty before Self

Ms. Roopa is currently the Home Secretary, Karnataka

Two times recipient of President’s Police Medal, Ms. Roopa is a firm believer of ‘Karm Karo Fal ki Chinta mat Karo’ (Work hard without ever thinking of the result or benefit). Talking to Indian Masterminds about her experiences, during her two decade long career in policing, she said, “When any case comes to me I just see it through the lens of legality. In case of an illegal act, I take action on it. I really don’t think too much about the personal consequences. Too much of thinking just destroy ones power to move further. If you start worrying about the result, the courage just melts away like ice.” 

I Have No Regrets

Ms Roopa has been transferred more than 40 times in her career. When asked if this caused frustration in her, she replies, “I did what I had to do at the given time. There is not a single incident where I regretted my decision. Sometimes it is a bit disappointing, but I don’t brood over it too much. I am only responsible for doing my duty properly. If I start thinking about the results, I may become pessimist. And that will reduce my efficiency as an officer.” 

Ms. Roopa during a meeting with her officials

She says that she doesn’t worry if a fellow officer who is posted in place of her undo the changes made by her. “Take the example of 2013 incident. I was DCP of City Armed Reserve in Bengaluru. I and my team withdrew the additional escort vehicles deployed for the politicians. After my transfer, things went back to the same way they were. It was disappointing but I can’t do much about it. Same is with the prison case. I found that things were going wrong. I filed a report and now the State’s Anti-Corruption Bureau is looking into that. It has been two years and strict action in the matter is expecting. I am also waiting for it, but I don’t worry about it too much. When I take up a task, I try to bring it to a logical end and then move on.’’

There is scope of work everywhere

Ms. Roopa believes that place and prestige of an officer’s posting doesn’t matter one bit. One can do good work anywhere. There are preconceived notions about the importance of a post, but I find many people fail to deliver even after reaching that station in their careers. “Before becoming the Home Secretary, I was posted as the Inspector General of Police (Railways). When the Covid-19 situation struck the country, the chief secretary to government of Karnataka formed teams of one IAS and IPS together. We were assigned to look after the situation in three hospitals of the state, and ensure that every private hospital has 50% beds reserved for corona patients. 

Ms. Roopa with her father

The state government had also fixed the rates of treatment of Covid-19 which had to be followed by every hospital. When we were assigned with this task, we took it a step further. Not only we ensured that the beds are reserved but also made sure that not a single patient has to spend a penny extra. Many hospital were charging 4-5 lakhs for the whole treatment. In our three hospitals, we talked to 42 patients who had been overcharged, and helped them in getting their money back. The honourable  Health Minister  Mr B Sriramulu appreciated our work in the legislative council. It was not a big task, but while we did it many others didn’t. So, I believe you can do good work everywhere. And you must  stop making excuses,” 

Ms. Roopa during Asian Arab Awards ceremony in 2019


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
Ruchika Chauhan IAS
Leading By Example: Gwalior DC Ruchika Chauhan Arrives At Her Office Boarding An E-Rickshaw! Delivers A Strong Message On World Environment Day
KVIC Khadi and Village Industries
KVIC Disburses Rs. 300 Crore Margin Money Subsidy Under PMEGP to Boost Self-Employment - Details Inside
HUDCO New Logo
HUDCO Champions Green Urban Development on World Environment Day 2025
Mayur Dixit IAS
Who is IAS Mayur Dixit, the New DM of Haridwar? Uttarakhand Bureaucracy in Buzz Amid Land Scam Fallout
Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi1
IRSME Ashwani Lohani Appointed Director of Prime Minister’s Museum & Library, Delhi - Know More About Him & the Historic Institution
World Environment Day
PSUs Observe World Environment Day 2025 with Strong Commitment to Sustainability and Green Practices - Check Here!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu Pal Nagar IFS
5 Years, 5 Mains, 4 Interviews: How Divyanshu Pal Nagar Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS - A Lesson for Every Aspirant
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NALCO
NALCO Refutes Reports of Capex Deferral, Confirms Rs 30,000 Crore Smelter Expansion is on Track - Know the Matter
Northern-Coalfields-Limited-NCL-Resized
NCL Signs MoU to Support Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Singrauli - All Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT