Private video allegedly showing DGP Ramachandra Rao in uniform triggers embarrassment for Karnataka police

BENGALURU: The Karnataka police department has been plunged into deep embarrassment following the circulation of a private video allegedly showing senior IPS officer and Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao engaging in intimate acts with a woman while in full police uniform and seated inside an office. The shocking visuals, which reportedly date back to about a year ago, have triggered widespread condemnation, with critics accusing both the officer and the state government of undermining the dignity, discipline and moral authority of the police force.

The controversy has gained further traction as it has emerged that the video predates the high-profile Ranya Rao gold smuggling case, in which Ramachandra Rao’s name had already surfaced. The coincidence of these episodes has intensified allegations of misuse of power, erosion of ethical standards and administrative failure at the highest levels of the home department.

ಗೃಹ ಸಚಿವ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ್‌ ಅವರ ಆಪ್ತ ಡಿಜಿಪಿ ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರ ರಾವ್‌ ರಾಸಲೀಲೆ ಬಯಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪೊಲೀಸ್‌ ಇಲಾಖೆಯೇ ತಲೆತಗ್ಗಿಸುವಂತಾಗಿದೆ.

ಪೊಲೀಸ್‌ ಸಮವಸ್ತ್ರದ ಘನತೆ ಮರೆತು, ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಇಂತಹ ಕೃತ್ಯ ಎಸಗಿರುವುದು ಅಕ್ಷಮ್ಯ ಅಪರಾಧ.

ಅಕ್ರಮ ಚಿನ್ನ ಕಳ್ಳಸಾಗಾಣೆ ಪ್ರಕರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ನೆರವು ನೀಡಿದ ಆರೋಪವೂ ಸಹ ಡಿಜಿಪಿ… pic.twitter.com/LiISJLokBc

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) January 19, 2026

In the viral footage, the incident allegedly took place within a government office, during official hours and in police uniform has been described by critics as a “gross violation of service conduct rules” and an “open insult to the sanctity of the uniform.”

Public outrage has been further fuelled by the officer’s family background. While his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, was arrested in a gold-smuggling case involving the illegal transportation of gold from Dubai, allegations had already been raised that official protocol and police privileges were misused to facilitate her movement through the airport. Ramachandra Rao’s alleged involvement or indirect support in the smuggling operation is still under investigation, making the emergence of this video particularly damaging to the credibility of the police leadership.

Following the gold smuggling controversy, the Karnataka home department had ordered an inquiry into whether airport protocol was misused and whether Ramachandra Rao had any role in enabling the illegal activity. In March 2025, he was sent on compulsory leave for misuse of authority.

Opposition leaders have come down heavily on both the officer and the government. Former Home Minister Araga Jnanendra termed the episode a “major disgrace to the home department” and demanded strict action. “This is not the first allegation against this officer. Despite repeated controversies, he continued in the department. Such behaviour inside an office, that too in uniform, is unacceptable and has brought shame to the entire police force,” he said.

The Janata Dal (Secular) accused the Congress government in a post on the social media platform X of shielding its favourites. “The exposure of DGP Ramachandra Rao’s conduct has made the entire state police force bow its head in shame. Forgetting the dignity of the uniform and indulging in such acts inside the office is an unforgivable offence. There were also allegations of his involvement in the illegal gold smuggling case. Due to the inaction of the Congress government and the incompetence of Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara, the pride of Karnataka’s police department has been auctioned once again,” the party alleged.

Ramachandra Rao, a Karnataka cadre IPS officer, has held several powerful positions, including Additional Director General of Police and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation. In 2023, he was promoted as DGP and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, before being appointed as DGP of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.