Karnataka DGP Faces Fresh Row Over Alleged ‘Sleaze’ Clips
CM orders probe; officer denies charges, calls videos fabricated; activist seeks disciplinary action
GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 19th Jan: Karnataka’s Director-General of Police K. Ramachandra Rao has been drawn into a new controversy after unverified videos purportedly showing him in compromising positions surfaced on social media, triggering a political and administrative storm in the state.
The controversy comes barely a year after Rao’s stepdaughter, actor Ranya Rao, was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport in March 2025 for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kg of gold into the country. At that time, the DGP faced allegations that he had used official protocol and police escorts to help her evade customs checks — claims he denied. He was briefly asked to proceed on leave but was later reinstated following a government review.
As the latest videos began circulating, Rao attempted to meet Home Minister G. Parameshwara at his residence on Monday but left within minutes after not being granted an audience. Speaking to reporters outside, he dismissed the allegations as “completely fabricated.”
“I was posted in that Belagavi office eight years ago. I had no knowledge of this video. If something like this had actually happened, wouldn’t I have known? The video is fake,” he said, adding that he would consult his lawyers and seek a proper investigation. Rao said he wanted to formally inform the Home Minister that “false information” was being spread against him.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government would order a thorough probe into the matter. “I came to know about this only today. We will investigate first and take disciplinary action based on findings. However senior an officer may be, he is not above the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, social activist Dinesh Kallahali has written to the Karnataka Chief Secretary seeking immediate disciplinary proceedings against Rao in light of the alleged videos.
No official forensic analysis of the clips has been released so far, and police sources said a cyber cell review is likely to be initiated to determine their authenticity.
The episode has intensified political pressure on the state government ahead of the budget session, with opposition leaders demanding transparency and swift action.
