BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has placed Karnataka DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandran Rao under suspension with immediate effect following the circulation of viral videos allegedly showing him behaving inappropriately with a woman inside his office.
In a detailed suspension order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), the government cited videos and news reports “widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms” as the basis for the action.
The order stated that Rao’s conduct, as seen in the clips was “obscene in nature,” unbecoming of a government servant and had caused embarrassment to the state government.
After examining the matter, the state government said it was prima facie satisfied that Rao ‘s conduct amounted to a violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. Accordingly, he has been suspended under Rule 3 (1) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, pending inquiry.
During the suspension period, Rao will be paid subsistence allowance as per the rules and will not be allowed to leave headquarters without prior written permission from the state government.
The suspension follows the circulation of purported videos on social media that allegedly show Rao engaging in intimate behaviour with a woman inside his official chamber.
In one clip, he is seen kissing the woman while seated in uniform, while another video purportedly shows similar behaviour in front of the Indian flag and the police department’s emblem. The woman’s face was blurred in the videos, which were circulated with the background music and captions.
Rao sought to reject the videos outright, terming them “fabricated and false.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned of action if the official was found guilty. The DGP’s attempt to clarify his position with Home Minister G Parameshwara did not fructify.
The top police officer is the stepfather of Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, arrested in a gold smuggling case and currently lodged in the Bengaluru Central Jail.