CM says probe to be initiated after 'sleaze' video involving Ranya Rao's stepfather & K'taka top cop sparks row

Bengaluru: In an embarrassment to the state government just a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed strong displeasure over tainted police officials, a video purportedly showing Director General of Police (DGP) Ramachandra Rao in a compromising position with several women inside his office went viral on Monday.

The footage allegedly shows Rao, a 1993-batch IPS officer, hugging and kissing women while in uniform during office hours.

The women allegedly visited the office on different occasions and appeared in different outfits. The footage purportedly captures Rao interacting closely with them while official work was underway.

Responding to the controversy, Rao said the video was fabricated. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that the footage was eight years old and recorded at his office in Belagavi during an earlier posting. He said he would file a police complaint against those responsible for circulating the video. He maintained that the video was manipulated and said he was not aware if anyone had attempted to extort him by threatening to release it. He added that he would consult legal experts before taking further action.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said stringent action would be taken against the officer after a thorough inquiry.

Following the circulation of the footage, Bengaluru-based advocate Owaiz Hussain submitted a complaint to the chief minister, the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, and the Director General and Inspector General of Police, seeking immediate action. In his complaint, Hussain clarified that he was neither asserting the authenticity of the video nor making any direct allegation against the officer concerned, but sought an inquiry as the footage had entered the public domain.

Rao, a Guntur native, is due to retire on superannuation in July.

On March 3, 2025, his stepdaughter and Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for smuggling 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai. She remains in jail.

Following Ranya's arrest, Rao was placed on suspension, which was revoked in August 2025. He is currently DGP, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.