On 19th January, the Karnataka government suspended senior IPS officer Dr K Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, after videos allegedly showing him engaging in intimate acts inside his official chamber went viral on social media. The order cited conduct “unbecoming of a government servant” and stated that the episode caused “embarrassment to the government”.
Sleaze tapes row: DGP Ramachandra Rao suspended. The Karnataka Govt has issued an order suspending him citing that he acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Govt Servant & causing embarrassment to the Govt. He service tenure was to end in a couple of months. https://t.co/XvFoh8XK99 pic.twitter.com/lfJuDuU36Y
— Deepak Bopanna (@dpkBopanna) January 20, 2026
The suspension order invoked Rule 3 of the All India Services Conduct Rules, 1968, and was issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. The order came into force immediately, pending inquiry. Notably, Rao’s service tenure was due to end in a couple of months.
What the government order says
According to the official order, the state government examined the videos and news reports widely broadcast on media platforms. It was concluded that Rao’s alleged conduct violated service rules. The order stated that during the suspension period, the officer will be paid subsistence allowance and will not leave headquarters without prior permission.
Videos trigger political and administrative storm
The controversy erupted after videos allegedly showing Rao hugging and kissing multiple women inside his office went viral on social media. The clips, which were allegedly recorded covertly, showed him in uniform during duty hours. While there are no allegations of coercion, the location and timing of the alleged acts raised serious questions over conduct within the police establishment.
Rao is also the father of actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in July 2025 in a gold smuggling case at Bengaluru Airport and later sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.
Officer denies charges, calls videos fake
Following the controversy, Ramachandra Rao issued a statement and denied the allegations. He called the videos “fake and fabricated”. Speaking to India Today, he claimed that he was being targeted and demanded a formal investigation to establish the truth.
The episode has drawn sharp attention from the state’s top leadership, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly expressing strong displeasure after being briefed on the matter.
