The Karnataka government on Tuesday suspended DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K. Ramachandra Rao after a controversial video purportedly showing him in a compromising position with a woman went viral on social media.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Monday warned of strict action against the officer, although Rao has outright rejected the video, describing it as “fabricated and false.”
Rao is the stepfather of Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, who was arrested last year in a high-profile gold smuggling case and is currently lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail.
“I came to know about it this morning. We will initiate disciplinary action against him. No one is above the law, irrespective of how senior the police officer is,” Siddaramaiah said on Monday.
Following the circulation of the video, Rao attempted to meet Home Minister G. Parameshwara, but the meeting did not take place. Speaking to reporters outside the minister’s residence, Rao said he intended to explain that false information was being spread about him.
“I am trying to understand how and when this happened and who is behind it. In this era, anything can happen. I have no idea about it,” he said.
“I am shocked. It is all fabricated. The video is completely false. I have no knowledge of it,” Rao added.
