The incident comes a year after the 1993-batch DGP-rank officer, who currently heads the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, was accused of helping his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, smuggle gold into the country.
Published Jan 19, 2026 | 8:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 19, 2026 | 9:00 PM
R Ramachandra Rao
Synopsis: Karnataka DGP R Ramachandra Rao has found himself in the midst of yet another controversy after an undated video, purportedly showing him engaging in inappropriate behaviour inside his office, went viral on social media on 19 January. The incident comes a year after Rao was accused of helping his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, smuggle gold into the country. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised an inquiry, while Rao has denied the allegations, claiming the video is fabricated.
The Karnataka Police has been left red-faced after a video, purportedly showing IPS officer R Ramachandra Rao engaging in inappropriate behaviour with a woman inside his office, went viral on social media on Monday, 19 January.
The incident comes a year after the 1993-batch DGP-rank officer, who currently heads the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, was accused of helping his stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, smuggle gold into the country.
Seemingly shot covertly, the 47-second undated video appears to be stitched together from multiple clips.
The acts allegedly took place during duty hours inside Rao’s government office. Soon after the video went viral, the officer attempted to meet Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara at the latter’s residence. However, according to sources, Parameshwara is said to have refused to meet him.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rao claimed that the video was fabricated and said he would file a case against those spreading fake news.
“I am shocked and I did not have any idea. It is computer-generated and I will speak to my advocate about legal action,” he said, alleging that it was an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Rao also said that the office seen in the video is located in Belagavi and that he had served there eight years ago.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, promised an inquiry into the case and said disciplinary action would be taken against the DGP.
“No high-ranking officer is above the law,” he said.
No official complaint has been registered against the officer so far, according to police sources.
Ramachandra Rao was earlier serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd when he was sent on compulsory leave in March 2025, days after his stepdaughter, Kannada actor Ranya Rao, was caught allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore into the country.
At the time, allegations surfaced that one of Ranya’s modus operandi was that she would identify herself as the DGP’s daughter on arrival at the airport and request local police escorts to her home.
In August 2025, the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms withdrew the officer’s leave and posted him to his current role.
The latest incident has left the Karnataka police department in an awkward position and comes at a time when it has been under fire from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself over its performance.
“The police department is working well in some stations, while in others it is not. Policemen are involved in about 88 cases… Such things tarnish the reputation of the state government and the police department,” Siddaramaiah said, speaking to reporters after inaugurating the annual conference of police officers in Bengaluru on Saturday.
“If the Maharashtra police can come to Bengaluru and detect drugs, why can’t the state police do it? The state police have failed to detect this, and instructions have been given to take action against the police concerned.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
