Kamal Ghorui
BENGALURU: Karnataka DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao was suspended on Monday night after the state government ordered a probe into unverified sleaze videos allegedly showing the senior IPS officer in intimate acts with women inside his office. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said disciplinary action would follow a detailed inquiry.Read more: Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao under fire: ‘Sleaze’ video, suspension and shadow of Ranya Rao gold smuggling case — what we know “We will take action. No one is above the law, however senior the officer may be,” the CM said in Badami, adding that he became aware of the matter earlier in the day and had directed a probe.
The suspension came hours after purported videos went viral on social media, triggering political outrage and a flurry of complaints to both state and central authorities. The source and authenticity of the videos remain unverified, and the state government said they would be examined as part of the inquiry.
Rao denies charges, calls videos ‘fabricated’
Rao rejected the allegations outright, calling the videos “fabricated, false and aimed at maligning me and scuttling my career”. He told reporters that his attempts to meet home minister G Parameshwara did not fructify and suggested the footage could relate to his posting in Belagavi nearly eight years ago. “I will consult my advocate and take appropriate legal action,” he said. The government has sought a report from the home department. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he was unaware of the details and referred queries to the CM and the home minister.
Complaints to PMO, DoPT; audio clips add twist
As the controversy escalated, social activist and Ballari-based Anna Foundation chief Rajshekar Mulali wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), seeking legal action against Rao for alleged misuse of power, public office and police uniform, and for showing “disrespect to national and state symbols”. Another activist, Dinesh Kallahalli, filed a complaint with the chief secretary and additional chief secretary, demanding Rao’s suspension and disciplinary action under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969. Late Monday evening, two audio clips also surfaced on social media, purportedly featuring a conversation between a police officer and a woman. Their authenticity could not be independently verified. The circulation of the audio, alongside the videos, further fuelled political and public outrage.
Opposition ups pressure
Senior BJP MLA and former law minister S Suresh Kumar termed the alleged acts “an unforgivable crime” that cast a shadow over the credibility of the police force, pointing to the tricolour visible in the background of the video as a sign of disrespect to the national flag. Opposition leaders accused the government of shielding the officer and demanded an independent probe. Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said the government would act “mercilessly, irrespective of seniority” if wrongdoing was established.
Past controversies resurface
Rao, who is also the stepfather of Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao has faced scrutiny earlier in his career. Opposition leaders cited previous controversies to argue for swift and strict action. The state government said the authenticity of the videos and audio clips will be verified and that further action will depend on the outcome of the inquiry.
