Govt. revokes suspension of IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao

On the eve of his birthday and just weeks away from retirement, the State government on Tuesday canceled the suspension of controversial IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao (1993 batch) and reappointed him into service with immediate effect. He will retire from service on May 31.

Mr Rao, who served as Director General of Police (DGP), Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings on January 19, 2026, following a series of videos that surfaced on social media, allegedly showing him in inappropriate positions with multiple women in his office. The disciplinary investigation was officially launched on March 18, 2026.

In early 2025, he was sent on compulsory leave after his step-daughter Ranya Rao was allegedly caught smuggling gold at the Kempegowda International Airport, and allegations emerged that Mr Rao had done so by abusing police protocol. He was cleared of these charges in an investigation.

Upon his reinstatement, Mr. Rao was appointed as Director General of Police (Police Manual) with immediate effect until further orders. DGP(Police Manual) is a newly created article. The government has clarified that this post is equivalent to the cadre post of DGP, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in terms of status and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the State government on Wednesday ordered the transfer of three Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officers. Sandeep Patil, who was serving as IGP, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), has been transferred and posted as IGP, Northern Range, Belagavi. He replaces Chetan Singh Rathor, who is currently posted on a vacant post as IGP, Criminal Investigation Department (Economic Crimes). Meanwhile, Anupam Agrawal, who was awaiting appointment, has been appointed to the post of IGP, KSRP, vacated by Mr. Patil.