In an important step to uphold its administrative reputation, the Karnataka government on Tuesday suspended senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao (KN: 1993) with immediate effect. The suspension comes after videos in which the Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) was apparently in a compromising, inappropriate position with women in his official chamber made headlines.
Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister, who had previously warned of strict action regardless of the officer's seniority, agreed by reviewing the footage in an initial assessment. “No one is above the law, no matter how senior the officer is,” the Chief Minister said, adding that doing that is unbecoming of a government servant.
VIDEO | Karnataka: On a viral video allegedly showing DGP K. Ramachandra Rao inappropriately with women in his office, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) says, “We will investigate this matter and take disciplinary action. No one is above the law.”
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 19, 2026
(Full video available… pic.twitter.com/1yfC2ARU56
A Scandal in Uniform
The argument exploded early Monday when a 47-second compilation of clips made headlines on social media. The documentary apparently shows Rao passionately courting several women on his department grounds in full police uniform. The video, which is said to have been filmed from a cellphone in his room, has caused outrage from the public and political blowback.
Opposition leaders and social activists have denounced the act as an “inexcusable crime” that tarnishes the entire state police force. Official suspension was ordered for violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and it was stated that Rao had acted in an "obscene manner" that brought lot of disgrace upon the state government.
The Officer Defense
AI Generated and Fabricated Rao has vehemently rejected the allegations, calling the videos “fake, fabricated, and a lie." Speaking to reporters after he tried unsuccessfully to rendezvous with Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Rao suggested the footage was only eight years old from his time in Belagavi or had been manipulated entirely by modern technology.
"In this day and age it can happen to anything." He said he is stunned and will discuss the matter with his advocate. The Ranya Rao Connection. The suspension represents yet another dark streak in Rao's career. He is also a stepfather of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya (Ranya Rao). Ranya was apprehended at the gates of Bengaluru International Airport with 14.2 kg of gold retrieved from Dubai.
While on compulsory leave during an inquiry into the smuggling syndicate which brought in a combined seizure of assets of ₹17 crore more, Rao was accused of helping to establish the syndicate. His participation continues to be under fire, though he was formally reinstated last August, after a departmental review. Ranya Rao was recently sentenced to one year jail term under the COFEPOSA Act and slapped with a huge ₹102 crore penalty by the DRI.
Next Steps
Rao is not to leave his headquarters without written permission during suspension. A departmental inquiry is currently in progress to ascertain the authenticity of the video as well as determine the extent of misconduct.
