The Karnataka government on Monday suspended DGP-rank IPS officer Dr K Ramachandra Rao after a purported video allegedly showing him in a compromising position with a woman inside his official chamber went viral on social media. The decision has sparked widespread debate across administrative and political circles, bringing renewed attention to the senior officer’s controversial career.
Rao, who was serving as Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement), has categorically denied the allegations, calling the video “fabricated, false, and malicious.” Despite his denial, the state government said the incident amounted to conduct unbecoming of a government servant and caused embarrassment to the administration.
According to the suspension order issued on January 19, the government observed that videos and news reports widely broadcast on public platforms indicated inappropriate conduct by the officer while in uniform. The state said it was prima facie satisfied that Rao’s actions violated Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, making it necessary to place him under suspension with immediate effect pending a formal inquiry.
Dr K Ramachandra Rao is a senior IPS officer who was promoted to the rank of Director General of Police in September 2023 and assumed charge of the Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate the following month. Prior to this, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. His career also includes a key posting as Inspector General of Police for the Southern Range.
Rao’s tenure as IGP, Southern Range, was marked by controversy in 2014 following a cash seizure near Yelwal in Mysuru. While officials claimed ₹20 lakh was recovered, the accused — Kerala-based merchants — alleged the amount seized was around ₹2.27 crore. Rao, who was present during the operation, denied all allegations. However, he was transferred soon after the incident.
Subsequent allegations of collusion with a businessman also surfaced. Senior officials later stated that a CID probe had pointed out serious lapses on the part of Rao and a deputy superintendent of police after it emerged that certain policemen, including a gunman attached to the IGP’s office, were allegedly involved in the robbery. Despite these controversies, Rao continued to rise through the ranks and eventually reached the state’s top police position.
The current controversy has drawn further attention due to Rao’s family connection to another high-profile case. He is the stepfather of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, who is accused of orchestrating the illegal import of gold worth over ₹12.56 crore from Dubai. The case involves two other accused — businessman Tarun Raju and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain — and is under active investigation.
Regarding the viral video, Rao has maintained that the footage is doctored and intended to damage his reputation. LiveMint and other media outlets have stated that they could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
During the suspension period, Rao will be entitled to subsistence allowance under Rule 4 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. The government has also imposed strict movement restrictions, directing that the officer must not leave headquarters without prior written permission from the state authorities.
The suspension of a DGP-rank officer over allegations of this nature is considered rare and significant. As the inquiry progresses, its findings are expected to have serious implications for Rao’s career and raise broader questions about accountability, ethics, and public trust within the police administration. For now, the state government has emphasized that due process will be followed and the matter will be examined strictly in accordance with the law.