Gold Smuggling Case To Sleaze Video Row: Ranya Rao's Family Embroiled In Controversies

Kannada actress Ranya Rao’s family is dealing with yet another controversy, this time, with her stepfather and Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao at the centre of it. The Karnataka government has now placed Ramachandra Rao under suspension with immediate effect following the circulation of viral videos that allegedly show him behaving inappropriately with a woman inside his office.

A detailed suspension order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) cited videos and news reports “widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms” to justify the action against Rao.

Rao, meanwhile, has refuted these allegations and called the videos “fabricated”.

What Is The Latest Controversy Surrounding Ranya Rao’s Father?

A video allegedly showing K Ramachandra Rao in inappropriate,

intimate interactions with women while in uniform inside his official chambers has gone viral on social media. The footage reportedly shows him hugging and kissing women during office hours, which has triggered widespread outrage, embarrassment for the state police, and calls for accountability.

Ramachandra Rao has denied the allegations, claiming the video is “fabricated and false” and possibly morphed, and that it may be old footage from years ago. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, he said, “These are manipulated videos. No such incident has taken place. I will discuss the matter with my advocate and decide in this regard.”

He also went to the office of Home Minister G Parameshwara to offer clarification, but reports suggested the minister conveyed through staff that he would not be able to meet him.

Action Against Ramachandra Rao

The Karnataka government, meanwhile, has suspended him and ordered a formal probe into the matter. The suspension order stated, “WHEREAS, vide videos and news reports widely broadcast on public news channels and media platforms, it is observed that Dr K Ramachandra Rao, Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, has acted in an obscene manner which is unbecoming of a Government Servant and also causing embarrassment to the Government.”

The government said it had examined the matter and was prima facie satisfied that Rao’s conduct amounted to a violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968.

“WHEREAS, the State Government has examined the said matter referred above, and is convinced that the conduct of the officer mentioned is in violation of Rule 3 of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 and the State Government is prima facie satisfied that it is necessary to place Dr K Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993), Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry. Hence, this order,” the order stated.

Accordingly, the government order noted, “In the circumstances explained in the preamble, now therefore, in exercise of the powers under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, Dr K Ramachandra Rao (KN:1993), Director General of Police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.”

During the suspension period, Rao will be paid subsistence allowance as per Rule 4 of the All India Service (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, and will not be permitted to leave headquarters without prior written permission of the state government.

Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case

The controversy has refocused public scrutiny on the family because DGP Rao is the father/stepfather of Ranya Rao, the Kannada actor currently in jail in a high-profile gold smuggling case.

The Karnataka government had placed Ramachandra Rao on compulsory leave in March 2025 in connection with a gold smuggling case involving actor Ranya Rao, his stepdaughter.

She was arrested on charges of gold smuggling and allegedly misusing her stepfather’s name and official protocol to evade security checks.

Ramachandra Rao was taken back into service recently, before being suspended over the objectionable video controversy.