BY PC Bureau
January 20, 2026: Viral videos allegedly showing a senior Karnataka IPS officer hugging and kissing women inside his official chamber while in uniform have triggered widespread outrage, with the footage prompting serious questions over propriety and abuse of authority in the police force. The clips, reportedly captured by CCTV cameras, show the officer engaging in intimate behaviour with multiple women during office hours.
Following the uproar, the Karnataka government suspended K Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement), and ordered an immediate inquiry into the matter, asserting that such conduct, if proven, is unbecoming of a government servant.
The controversial clips, which surfaced on January 19, allegedly show Rao hugging and kissing multiple women inside his office while in uniform during office hours. In one video, he is seen seated at his desk embracing and kissing a woman wearing a churidar, while another clip shows similar conduct with a woman dressed in a sari. The footage is believed to have been recorded through CCTV cameras installed in the chamber.
ये कर्नाटक के डीजीपी साहब बताये जा रहे हैं।
हरकतें आप खुद देख सकते हैं।
समझ नहीं आ रहा है कि किसी ने वीडियो बनाया है या फिर सीसीटीवी फुटेज हैं।
हो सकता है कि डी.जी.पी. साहब कह दे कि AI जनरेटेड वीडियो है। pic.twitter.com/AbnLSE3ENh
— Manraj Meena (@ManrajM7) January 19, 2026
The suspension order stated that the officer’s alleged actions were in an “obscene manner unbecoming of a government servant” and had caused embarrassment to the state government.
Reacting swiftly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said no one was above the law and that disciplinary action would be taken irrespective of rank. “If the allegations are proven, strict action will follow,” he said.
Rao has strongly denied the allegations, claiming the videos are “morphed,” “AI-generated,” and part of a conspiracy to malign him. He has also asserted that the clips are old—dating back nearly eight years from a previous posting—and has announced plans to pursue legal action against those circulating the material.
The incident has triggered a political storm, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching sharp attacks on the Congress-led government. Senior BJP leader and former minister S Suresh Kumar described the alleged conduct as “unforgivable” and said it had damaged the credibility of the police force. He also pointed to the presence of the national flag in the background of the videos, calling it disrespectful to national symbols.
Opposition leaders accused the government of initially attempting to shield the officer and demanded an independent probe to ensure transparency.
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Social activists, including members of the Anna Foundation, have filed complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department of Personnel and Training, seeking stringent action.
Adding to the controversy, Rao is the father of Ranya Rao, who is currently facing allegations in a high-profile gold smuggling case. While no direct link has been established between the two matters, the connection has intensified public scrutiny.
Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said the government would act “mercilessly” if the allegations are substantiated, regardless of the officer’s seniority.
The inquiry is ongoing, with the case reigniting debates on ethics, accountability, and conduct within India’s police services.
