Top Karnataka Police officer Ramachandra Rao, a 1993-batch officer and current Director-General of Police, has come under intense public scrutiny following a series of controversies spanning his career and personal life. Most recently, Rao was suspended after videos allegedly showing him in compromising situations with women in an office setting went viral, prompting a formal inquiry.

Rao’s career, which was set to conclude with his retirement in May, has been marked by several high-profile incidents. Early in his tenure as Inspector-General of Police (Southern Range) in 2014, he was embroiled in the “Curious Case of the Missing Money”, when a bus carrying a large sum of cash near Yelwala in Mysuru was intercepted. Portions of the recovered cash reportedly went missing, and fingers were pointed at Rao and other officers, leading to a departmental investigation and his transfer, though his name did not appear in the final reports.

Another controversial episode involved the Chadchan encounter in Vijayapura district, where a man named Dharmaraj Chadchan was killed. While police claimed it was self-defence during an arrest attempt, allegations surfaced that Rao had orchestrated the encounter, including transferring a police officer to the area months prior. A CID probe was ordered, and Rao denied any prior knowledge, maintaining that transfers were routine and rule-based. He was questioned, but the chargesheet eventually did not include him.

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Rao’s personal life has also attracted attention. His stepdaughter, Kannada actress Ranya Rao, was arrested at Bengaluru airport in March 2025 for allegedly smuggling around 14 kilograms of gold from Dubai, valued at approximately Rs 12.5 crore. Controversy deepened when questions arose over alleged protocol assistance she received at the airport, possibly linked to her stepfather’s DGP rank. Following this incident, Rao was placed on compulsory leave while the investigation continued but was later reinstated.

The latest scandal—the circulation of alleged sleaze videos—has intensified public scrutiny. Reports suggest the footage could date back seven to eight years during Rao’s tenure as IG in Belgavi and may be connected to a larger honey-trap nexus targeting senior bureaucrats and politicians. Rao has denied wrongdoing and challenged the authenticity of the clips. Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Commission for Women has sought a detailed action report within seven days.

These controversies, spanning financial irregularities, police encounters, familial involvement in criminal cases, and alleged personal misconduct, have collectively tarnished Rao’s decades-long career. With multiple investigations ongoing, the outcomes could determine whether this seasoned officer’s legacy is permanently overshadowed by scandal.

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