DGP Rao suspended over sleaze video, to face investigation

Bengaluru: The Karnataka govt Tuesday suspended DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao after alleged sleaze videos purportedly involving the senior officer surfaced in the public domain, causing widespread embarrassment.The govt has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Soon after the video went viral, Rao said the clip was fabricated. Following his suspension, Rao obtained an injunction order from city civil court hall-23 restraining the media from airing the video. The suspension order was issued late on Monday night.
According to the govt order, videos and news reports widely broadcast on TV news channels and digital media platforms indicated Rao acted in an obscene manner unbecoming of a govt servant. The order stated the govt examined the matter and was convinced that the conduct of the officer amounted to a violation of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. The govt said it was prima facie satisfied that it was necessary to place Rao under suspension with immediate effect, pending inquiry.The order further stated that during suspension, the officer shall not leave the headquarters without permission from the govt.It is alleged the videos were recorded inside the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Northern Range, in Belagavi, around eight years ago during Rao's stint. The purported videos allegedly show Rao in intimate acts with three different women inside his office. Rao maintained that the videos were fabricated with the intention of tarnishing his image. He demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.