(Image source from: PTI)
The Director General of Police for Civil Rights Enforcement in Karnataka, K Ramachandra Rao, has been put on suspension after videos that allegedly depict him in inappropriate situations with women circulated on social media on Monday. The questionable footage showed him with women in what looked like his office. Additionally, some inappropriate audio clips emerged where Rao allegedly spoke to women. His suspension notice stated that he behaved in a "shameful way that is not suitable for a government employee and also embarrassed the government. " The government believes that his actions broke the rules, according to the official statement. It mentioned, "The State Government believes at first glance that it is necessary to suspend Dr K. Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, immediately while an investigation is ongoing. " During the suspension, Rao is not allowed to leave the headquarters "under any circumstances" without written approval from the state government, as stated in the order.
K Ramachandra Rao, however, has denied the accusations, calling them "made-up and untrue. " When the videos gained attention on Monday, he hurried to meet Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara at his home, but the meeting did not occur. "I am surprised. It is all fake and a lie. The video is entirely false. I don’t know anything about it," he informed reporters outside Parameshwara's residence. "I am also reflecting on how and when this took place and who is behind it. In this day and age, anything can happen. I have no knowledge of it," he continued. When asked if those were old videos, Rao, who is a 1993 batch Indian Police Service officer, replied, "Old means eight years ago when I was in Belagavi. " Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated on Monday that action would be taken if the official was proven guilty. "I learned about it this morning. We will take disciplinary measures against him. No one is above the law, regardless of how senior the police officer is," he remarked.
Senior BJP MLA and former minister S Suresh Kumar labeled it a "shameful act" and "an unacceptable crime. ""Rao has done something that has stained the entire police department. The behavior displayed by this high-ranking officer, in uniform and in his own office, has caused the public to view the police department with mistrust and skepticism," Kumar expressed. K Ramachandra Rao had faced prior allegations for allegedly assisting his stepdaughter and actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested last year for illegally bringing gold into the country. He was accused of helping her avoid customs and police inspections by using official means and police escorts. After the controversy, Rao, who was the chairman and managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation at the time, was placed on mandatory leave in March. He was later reinstated by the state government after an investigation. In August, he was appointed as the DGP for the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.
