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Bengaluru, January 20, 2026 : The Karnataka government has issued an immediate suspension order for K Ramachandra Rao, the Director General of Police for Civil Rights Enforcement, following the wide circulation of controversial videos across social media and digital news platforms. The official directive from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms specifies that the senior IPS officer is being removed from his duties pending a formal inquiry. This decision was prompted by footage that allegedly shows the officer engaging in inappropriate conduct within his official chamber. State authorities have stated that these actions constitute a serious violation of service rules and have caused significant embarrassment to the administration.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah addressed the development by emphasizing that no individual is above the law regardless of their rank or seniority. The government order notes that the move is necessary to maintain the integrity of the police force while investigators determine the authenticity and context of the recordings. During the suspension period, the 1993-batch officer is required to remain at headquarters and is prohibited from leaving without prior written consent from the state.
In response to the allegations, Ramachandra Rao has categorically denied any wrongdoing, describing the videos as fabricated and false. He suggested that the footage might be a manipulation of old recordings from his previous posting in Belagavi nearly eight years ago or could potentially be the result of modern artificial intelligence tools used to tarnish his image. Despite these denials, the Home Department has moved forward with disciplinary proceedings to address the public outcry and restore professional standards within the top brass of the law enforcement agency.
This administrative action follows a period of heightened scrutiny for the officer. Last year, he was placed on compulsory leave after his stepdaughter was implicated in a high profile gold smuggling case at the Bengaluru airport. While he was eventually reinstated to his current post in August 2025, this latest controversy has renewed questions regarding his professional conduct. Legal experts and senior officials are now overseeing a comprehensive probe that will decide if further punitive measures, including potential dismissal, are warranted based on the final findings of the investigation.
