Karnataka DGP Ramachandra Rao suspended after viral inappropriate video; CM Siddaramaiah orders probe. Stepdaughter Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling case also in focus.
Rao has denied the allegations, insisting that the video is fake and claiming he did not know its origin. (Photo: Social Media)
Karnataka Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao was suspended by the state government on Tuesday after an inappropriate video of the senior IPS officer circulated widely on social media. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.
The video shows Rao in compromising positions with women. Authorities are yet to confirm whether it involves one woman or multiple. Addressing reporters in Belagavi, the Chief Minister said, “No matter how senior the officer is, disciplinary action will be taken if there is misconduct.”
Rao has denied the allegations, insisting that the video is fake and claiming he did not know its origin.
Rao was promoted to Director General of Police (DGP) in September 2023 and assumed office in October 2023. Before this role, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
He has also been Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Southern Range, a tenure that saw controversy. In 2014, during a cash seizure near Mysuru’s Yelwal, Kerala-based merchants claimed police seized ₹2.27 crore, although officials reported ₹20 lakh.
Allegations of collusion with a businessman surfaced, and a senior police officer stated, “In Rao’s case, the CID has clearly mentioned that there was a great degree of lapse on the part of Rao and a deputy superintendent of police after it was brought to their notice that a few policemen, including a gunman attached to the IGP, were involved in the robbery.”
Rao has denied all wrongdoing in that incident. Despite past controversies, he rose to the state’s top police position.
Adding to public attention, Rao’s stepdaughter, 33-year-old Kannada actor Ranya Rao, was arrested for smuggling over 14 kilograms of gold at Bengaluru International Airport in March 2025. Her arrest drew nationwide headlines and added scrutiny to Rao’s personal and professional life.
Ranya Rao allegedly attempted to transport the gold illegally, leading to her immediate detention. The case is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to establish the full chain of events. While unrelated to her stepfather’s suspension, the case has amplified media and public interest in the Rao family.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the video came to his attention on Monday. He stated that it consists of three clips stitched together, and authorities will conduct a full inquiry before further action.
“No matter how senior the officer is, disciplinary action will be taken if there is misconduct,” Siddaramaiah reiterated.
The suspension sends a clear message that even high-ranking officers are accountable for their actions.
The suspension of Rao has triggered discussions about ethics and discipline within the Karnataka police force. Authorities have promised transparent and impartial investigations, underscoring the administration’s commitment to law and order integrity.
Meanwhile, ongoing proceedings in Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling case have kept the family in the public eye. The intersection of these two controversies has intensified calls for accountability at the highest levels of the state police.
As investigations continue, both cases—Rao’s suspension and his stepdaughter’s legal troubles—remain under scrutiny from the government and the public.
