A political and administrative storm has broken out in Karnataka following the circulation of an alleged video involving Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer of Director General of Police (DGP) rank and the father of gold smuggling accused Ranya Rao.
The video, which has rapidly gone viral on social media, purportedly shows the officer engaging in intimate behaviour with different women inside his official chamber during office hours.
According to reports, the visuals appear to have been covertly recorded within the DGP’s office and show multiple women visiting the chamber on different occasions. In the clips, Rao, seen in a police uniform, is allegedly hugging and kissing the visitors while official work is underway.
Rao is the father of actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in July 2025 in a Gold smuggling case from Bengaluru Airport, and subsequently sentenced to 1 year imprisonment.
Although there are no claims of coercion or criminal conduct against the women involved, the nature of the alleged acts within a government office during duty hours has triggered widespread criticism and raised serious questions about propriety and conduct at the highest levels of the police force.
The controversy has now reached the top of the state’s political leadership. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been briefed by the concerned department after the video began circulating widely. The Chief Minister has reportedly expressed strong displeasure after viewing the footage and sought an explanation on how such an incident could allegedly occur within the police establishment. The episode has placed the state government under intense scrutiny, with growing calls for clarity on whether a departmental inquiry or disciplinary proceedings will be initiated.
Cop rejects allegations, calls video fabricated
Meanwhile, Ramachandra Rao has categorically denied all allegations, asserting that the video is fabricated and morphed to malign his reputation. Speaking to India Today, the senior officer said he was being deliberately targeted and described the entire episode as shocking and distressing.
“This is a completely false and fabricated video. I was in Belagavi eight years ago, and we have already spoken to our advocate about taking appropriate action. If anything had actually happened, it would require a proper investigation. Such false information is being spread without verification,” Rao said, reiterating his demand for a formal inquiry to establish the truth.
As the debate intensifies, political and administrative circles are closely watching the state government’s next move. Whether the matter results in an official probe or fades amid competing narratives will likely determine not only the fate of the officer involved but also the credibility of the police leadership and the government’s response to allegations of misconduct within its ranks.
