In a major development from Karnataka, the state government has suspended senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao with immediate effect. The suspension order came on Monday night after a video allegedly showing the Director General of Police (DGP) in a compromising position with a woman inside his office went viral on social media.
The incident has sparked a political storm in the state, prompting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order a detailed inquiry.
What is the Viral Video Controversy?
On Monday, January 19, multiple video clips began circulating on social media platforms and messaging apps. The footage purportedly shows K. Ramachandra Rao, who heads the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), engaging in intimate acts with a woman inside his official chamber.+1
The video quickly drew widespread attention due to the high rank of the officer involved. Reports suggest the background of the video clearly resembles a government office, which led to immediate public outrage. The clips were also broadcast by several regional news channels, forcing the state administration to step in.
Government Action: “Unbecoming of a Government Servant”
The Karnataka government acted swiftly after the clips surfaced. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that “no one is above the law” and directed the Home Department to initiate an immediate probe.+1
The official suspension order issued by the state government cited the conduct as a violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. The order noted that the officer’s actions were “obscene” and “unbecoming of a government servant,” causing severe embarrassment to the administration.+1
During the suspension period, Ramachandra Rao has been ordered not to leave the headquarters without written permission from the government.
Ramachandra Rao’s Defense: Claims Video is “Fake”
Reacting to the suspension and the viral clips, K. Ramachandra Rao has denied all allegations. Speaking to reporters, the senior IPS officer claimed that the video is “fabricated” and manipulated.+1
He offered two main defenses:
- Old Footage: He suggested that the footage might be from eight years ago when he was posted in Belagavi, though he insists it has been tampered with.
- Conspiracy: Rao alleged that the release of the video is a conspiracy to malign his reputation and scuttle his career just months before his retirement (scheduled for May 2026).
He also stated that he was unaware of the video’s existence until it appeared on the news and plans to consult his lawyers to take legal action against those circulating it.
Connection to Past Controversies
This is not the first time K. Ramachandra Rao has faced public scrutiny. The senior officer was previously in the news in 2025 regarding a case involving his family.
- The Gold Smuggling Case: In March 2025, Rao’s stepdaughter, Kannada actor Ranya Rao, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai.
- Previous Leave: Following that incident, Rao was sent on “compulsory leave” by the government but was later reinstated and posted as DGP of Civil Rights Enforcement in August 2025.
Political Reactions
The incident has given fresh ammunition to the opposition parties in Karnataka.
- BJP’s Stance: Opposition leaders have demanded a strict and impartial investigation. Senior BJP MLAs have termed the act an “unforgivable crime” that disrespects the police uniform and the national flag seen in the office background.+1
- Government’s Response: State Home Minister G. Parameshwara admitted that the incident has caused embarrassment to the police force but assured the public that strict disciplinary action will be taken based on the inquiry report.
What Happens Next?
An internal inquiry has been launched to verify the authenticity of the video and the audio clips that surfaced later. If the forensic analysis proves the video is genuine and recent, Rao could face dismissal from service. For now, he remains suspended pending the final report.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is K. Ramachandra Rao?
K. Ramachandra Rao is a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre. At the time of his suspension in January 2026, he was serving as the DGP of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.
Q2: Why was Ramachandra Rao suspended?
He was suspended after a video went viral allegedly showing him in an inappropriate position with a woman inside his government office during duty hours.
Q3: Is the viral video real?
The government has suspended him based on prima facie evidence, but an official inquiry is underway to verify the video. Rao claims the video is fake or doctored.
Q4: Is this related to the Ranya Rao case?
Indirectly. Ranya Rao is his stepdaughter, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case in 2025. Ramachandra Rao had faced administrative action back then as well but was later reinstated.
Q5: What action has the Chief Minister taken?
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an immediate probe and approved the suspension, stating that strict action will be taken against any officer violating the law.