Home minister says probe on into women’s identity, video authenticity| India News

Karnataka DGP suspended live: K Ramachandra Rao is scheduled to retire from service in May this year, even as he remains under suspension pending inquiry in connection with the viral video row.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the ongoing investigation into the Ramachandra Rao episode will cover all aspects, including verifying the authenticity of the viral video and establishing the identities of the women seen in the clips.

“So far, it is not known who the women are. No complaint has been received from anyone. That aspect is also being probed,” he said, adding that investigators are examining every angle linked to the case.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Following the suspension of DGP K Ramachandra Rao, Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday outlined the government’s stance and next steps.

1. He said the government acted swiftly in placing Rao under suspension and that an inquiry has been ordered to examine the matter further.

2. “We have suspended him. An inquiry will follow. After the inquiry, we will get to know the other dimensions as well. We will take next action accordingly,” he said, adding that “he can be dismissed as well” depending on the findings, reported PTI news aency.

3. Parameshwara also explained why he did not meet Rao despite reports that the officer sought an appointment, saying, “In such a situation one has to be cautious. Hence, I didn’t meet him.”

4. On the wider impact of the incident, he expressed regret, stating, “CM Siddaramaiah and myself are deeply disturbed by this incident. Since this relates to my department, it doesn’t seem good to me,” and noting that “this incident has caused embarrassment to the department. Such incidents are a matter of shame for not only the police department but also other departments,” the news agency’s report added.

5. Addressing questions about the complainant, he added, “I don’t have any information on the complainant. I don’t know anything in this case other than what is prima facie available,” PTI report added.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: The State Government has issued a suspension order against Rao under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.

According to the statement, Rao will continue to receive his subsistence allowance during the suspension period. However, he is barred from leaving his headquarters or performing any official duties without written permission from the State Government.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara spoke about the ongoing controversy surrounding suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao.

When asked about the complainant, the minister said, “I don’t have any information on the complainant. I don’t know anything in this case other than what is prima facie available,” reported PTI.

He added that the episode had broader repercussions, noting, “This incident has caused embarrassment to the department. Such incidents are a matter of shame for not only the police department but also other departments.”

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara expressed regret over the controversy surrounding suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao, saying the incident had caused embarrassment to the state administration.

“CM Siddaramaiah and myself are deeply disturbed by this incident. Since this relates to my department, it doesn’t seem good to me,” he said.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday indicated that the government has not ruled out stronger measures against suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao in the future, responding to BJP demands for the officer’s arrest.

“The future course of action will be different. He can be dismissed as well,” he said, emphasising that the government acted promptly despite Rao’s seniority.

“Since we had to take immediate action, we have placed him under suspension without considering the fact that he is a senior officer. Based on the inquiry report, we will take next course of action,” Parameshwara added.

Opposition parties have demanded Rao’s immediate suspension and a thorough investigation into the viral clip, accusing the government of protecting influential officers and failing to act decisively to uphold institutional integrity.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: State home minister G Parameshwara while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident and that further action will be decided based on the findings. “He can be dismissed as well,” he added, reported news agency PTI.

Explaining the suspension, the minister said it was an immediate step necessitated by the seriousness of the matter. “We have suspended him. An inquiry will follow. After the inquiry, we will get to know the other dimensions as well. We will take next action accordingly,” Parameshwara said, underlining the government’s commitment to accountability.

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed the Karnataka home department to conduct a preliminary inquiry into a clip circulating on social media that purportedly shows senior IPS officer and DGP of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) K Ramachandra Rao engaging in inappropriate behaviour with a woman while on duty in his office.

Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah said he became aware of the clip only on Monday and noted that the video appeared to be a compilation of three clips stitched together.

Stressing that rank would not come in the way of action, the Chief Minister said, “No matter how senior the officer is, disciplinary action will be taken if there is misconduct.”

Karnataka DGP suspended live: Senior BJP MLA and former minister S Suresh Kumar on Monday criticised the alleged conduct of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, calling it a “disgraceful act” and 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,” reported news agency PTI.

He also alleged that the government had failed to act decisively in the past, claiming that when large-scale gold smuggling had taken place through the misuse of the officer’s name and position, the matter was brushed aside by sending Rao on compulsory leave instead of taking stricter action.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: Karnataka minister for Women and Child Development Laxmi Hebbalkar on Tuesday said the government would act firmly if any wrongdoing is established in the case involving senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao.

“Being the Woman and Child Development Minister I can tell you that we will take action mercilessly, irrespective of the seniority he holds,” PTI news agency quoted Hebbalkar as saying.

Meanwhile, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli demanded Rao’s suspension, as reported by the news agency.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: K Ramachandra Rao on Monday denied the allegations linked to the viral video, saying he had no knowledge of how or when the footage was recorded and insisted it was fabricated.

When reporters pointed out that the video was old, Rao responded, “Old means, eight years ago when I was in Belagavi,” reported PTI news agency.

Speaking to reporters outside the Home Minister’s residence, Rao 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,” the news agency quoted him as saying.

Describing the clip as false, he said, “I am shocked. It is all fabricated, lie. The video is all false. I have no idea about it.”

Asked about his next course of action, Rao said he would consult his advocate. “I will know only if it had happened,” he added.

Rao also said he intended to explain to the Home Minister that false information was being spread about him, though the meeting did not take place on Monday.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: Former Bengaluru city police commissioner Bhaskar Rao reacted to the controversy involving senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao, calling the incident damaging to the image of the police force.

“Incidents like this are embarrassing for the police department. When the government fails to take strict action against guilty police officers, such cases keep recurring. Lack of accountability within the system is the main reason these incidents continue to happen,” Bhaskar Rao said on Monday.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Karnataka government on Monday placed DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry, citing conduct unbecoming of a government servant and causing embarrassment to the state administration.

In an official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR), the government said that videos and news reports widely circulated on television channels and digital media platforms showed the senior IPS officer acting in an “obscene manner”, prompting disciplinary action.

“Vide videos and news reports widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms, it is observed that Dr K Ramachandra Rao has acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Government Servant and also causing embarrassment to the Government,” the order said.

The government added that it examined the matter and found that Rao’s conduct amounted to a violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. It said it was prima facie satisfied that “it is necessary to place Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.”

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Karnataka government acted against senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao after a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position inside his office went viral on social media on Monday, triggering widespread outrage and political backlash.

The footage circulating online does not appear to be from a single incident but is reportedly a compilation of multiple clips recorded at different times inside his office. It remains unclear whether the clips feature the same woman on different days or multiple women. HT could not independently verify the video’s authenticity.

The viral clips prompted the state government to initiate disciplinary action, citing conduct unbecoming of a senior officer and potential violations of service rules.

Rao, meanwhile, has denied all the allegations and claimed the video was generated using artificial intelligence.

Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday spoke to reporters about the suspension of DGP K Ramachandra Rao. “We took immediate action. Anything can happen after the investigation. He can also be dismissed,” he added.

He further said, “We took this decision because we had to take immediate action. We took action without any hesitation, without looking at the fact that he is a senior officer”.

Parmeshwara said that the next action would be considered based on the outcome of the inquiry. “We will take further action after looking at what comes out in the investigation. Not only the police department, but any department cannot accept such incidents, and that is why we took immediate action,” he said, noting that both he and the chief minister were upset over the matter.

“Since this is our department, we did not find it right,” he concluded, highlighting the administration’s stance on accountability within the police force.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: A video allegedly showing Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao in a compromising position with a woman went viral on social media on Monday. The video is not from a single occasion but a compilation of multiple clips recorded in his office at different times.

The clips appear to be of low quality, with only distinct facial features visible. Observers noted that the participants are seen wearing different clothes in various segments, indicating they were filmed at different instances.

HT has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Karnataka government on Monday said it is prima facie satisfied that it was necessary to place DGP K Ramachandra Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending an inquiry into his alleged conduct.

An official order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) cited videos and news reports widely circulated on television and digital media showing the senior IPS officer acting in an “obscene manner”, which prompted the decision to initiate disciplinary action.

“Vide videos and news reports widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms, it is observed that Dr K Ramachandra Rao has acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Government Servant and also causing embarrassment to the Government,” the order said.

The government added that, after examining the matter, Rao’s conduct was found to violate Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, reinforcing the decision to suspend him pending a formal inquiry.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: Karnataka officer K Ramachandra Rao, currently at the centre of controversy over an alleged inappropriate video, has previously been in the headlines for his stepdaughter Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling case.

1. The suspension comes months after Rao was reinstated by the Karnataka government in August last year. He was appointed DGP of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement after the state withdrew a compulsory leave order that had been imposed in March. Rao had been placed on leave following the arrest of his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, in a high-profile gold smuggling case.

2. Rao, a 1993-batch Karnataka cadre officer, was promoted to the post of DGP in September 2023 and took charge in October 2023. Prior to this, he served as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

3. He has also held the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Southern Range, a tenure marked by controversy.

4. In early 2014, a Calicut-bound private bus was stopped near Mysuru’s Yelwal, and Mysore South Police seized money being transported by four Kerala-based merchants. While police claimed they recovered ₹20 lakh, the merchants alleged that ₹2.27 crore had been seized and accused the police of colluding with another businessman to loot them. Rao has denied any wrongdoing. Read More

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Karnataka government on Monday issued a detailed order outlining the conditions under which DGP K Ramachandra Rao has been suspended, following the controversy over the alleged video.

The order, dated January 19, stated, “Dr K Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993), Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.”

It also specified the rules regarding his allowance and movements during suspension. “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.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Karnataka government on Tuesday issued a suspension notice against DGP K Ramachandra Rao, citing his alleged conduct in a video as “obscene” and “unbecoming of a Government Servant.”

The notice, dated January 19, stated, “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.”

It added that after examining the matter, the state government found Rao’s actions in violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968.

“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,” the notice added.

The scheduled meeting between Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao and Home Minister G Parameshwara did not take place on Monday, amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged video.

After the controversy broke, Rao attempted to meet home minister G Parameshwara, but the meeting did not take place. Speaking to PTI outside the minister’s residence, he again denied the allegations.

“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,” Rao said.

He added that he would consult his advocate and explain to the Home Minister that false information was being spread about him.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government in Karnataka over the alleged video involving a DGP-rank police officer, saying the incident reflected a collapse of law and order in the state.

Reacting to the clip circulating on social media, Poonawalla said, “This is the state of affairs of law and order in Karnataka under Congress government. A DGP level police officer’s videos have surfaced in social media where he is exploiting, he is doing intimate acts with multiple women and that too inside public police office. This is the state of affairs.”

“Now there will be all kinds of excuses that will be made that this is AI morphed generated video,” PTI news agency quoted Poonawala as saying.

He also linked the controversy to women’s safety in the state, claiming it had deteriorated under the Congress regime. “The fact of the matter is that in Karnataka under Congress’s watch, the women’s safety and security has gone to all-time low. If these things are happening inside a public office, imagine what is happening on the streets,” he added.

Questioning the government’s response, he said any action taken so far was merely symbolic.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: The Janata Dal (Secular) also targeted Rao in a post on X, saying, “The exposure of DGP Ramachandra Rao’s conduct has made the entire state police department bow its head in shame. Forgetting the dignity of the police uniform and indulging in such acts with women inside his office is an unpardonable offence’’.

Karnataka DGP suspended live updates: Opposition parties accused the government of shielding influential officers like K Ramachandra Rao and demanded an immediate suspension and a thorough probe.

Senior BJP MLA and former state minister S Suresh Kumar criticised the alleged conduct in a statement. “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,” he said.

Referring to a previous controversy, Kumar added, “Earlier, when large-scale gold smuggling was perpetrated through the misuse of his name and position, the government washed its hands off the matter by by sending him on compulsory leave. The government must examine the issue very seriously. Simply sending him on compulsory leave again will not bring any credit to the government.”