Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao suspended after controversial video goes viral

K Ramachandra Rao, Karnataka Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement), was suspended on Monday, 19 January, after a controversial video, reportedly showing him in an intimate moment with a woman, went viral on social media.

A video purportedly showing Rao in a compromising position with a woman inside his official chamber went viral on Monday. Rao rejected the videos outright, terming them “fabricated and false,” according to news agency PTI.

An order issued by the Karnataka government shared by PTI said, “WHEREAS, vide videos and news reports widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms, it is observed that Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993), Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, has acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Government Servant and also causing embarrassment to the Government.”

The order stated that the State Government "examined the said matter referred above, and is convinced that the conduct of the officer mentioned is in violation of Rule 3 of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968."

It said the state government is prima facie satisfied that it is necessary to “place Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993). Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.”

"...in exercise of the powers under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, Dr K Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993), Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry," the order stated.

“During the period of suspension, the officer shall be paid subsistence allowance in accordance with Rule 4 of All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.”

"During the period of suspension, the officer shall not leave the Headquarters, under any circumstances, without the written permission of the State Government," it added.

The controversy

A video reportedly showing Rao in a compromising position with a woman went viral on social media on Monday. The top police officer is the stepfather of Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, who was arrested last year by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, in a sensational gold smuggling case and is currently lodged in the Bengaluru Central Jail.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah warned of action if the official was found guilty. CM Siddaramaiah said, “We will get it investigated.”

"I got to know about it in the morning. We will initiate disciplinary action against him. No one is above law, notwithstanding how senior the police officer is," he said, responding to the controversy surrounding the DGP. 

K Ramachandra Rao reacts: ‘It is all fabricated’

As the videos went viral, Rao rushed to meet the Minister of Home Affairs of Karnataka, G Parameshwara, but the meeting did not take place.

Speaking to reporters outside the minister's house, he said, "I am also thinking how and when it happened and who has done it. In this era, anything can happen. I have no idea about it.”

When reporters said that this is an old video, he said, “Old means, eight years ago, when I was in Belagavi.” Asked about his next course of action, he said he would discuss it with his advocate about it." 

Rao added, "I am shocked. It is all fabricated, lie. The video is all false. I have no idea about it." 

When reporters asked how this happened, he said, "I will know only if it had happened. I don't know about it."

He added that he will explain to the Home Minister that false information is being spread.

Karnataka Minister of Women and Child Development, Disabled and Senior-Citizens Empowerment, Laxmi Hebbalkar, said the government will take action if someone has done something wrong.

"Being the Woman and Child Development Minister, I can tell you that we will take action mercilessly, irrespective of the seniority he holds," she told reporters.

Senior BJP MLA and former Minister S Suresh Kumar slammed the "disgraceful act of police officer" as "an inexcusable crime".

In a statement, Kumar said, "Rao has committed an act that has brought a blot on the entire police department. The act committed by this senior officer, in uniform and within his own office, has made people view the police department itself with suspicion and doubt."

The MLA alleged that earlier, when large-scale gold smuggling took place by misusing the official's name and position, the government washed its hands of the matter by sending him on compulsory leave.

Social activist Dinesh Kallahalli demanded Rao's suspension.

(With inputs from PTI)