Karnataka Revokes Suspension of IPS Officer K Ramachandra Rao

The Karnataka government on Wednesday revoked the suspension of senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao and reinstated him into service with immediate effect, nearly four months after he was removed from duty over allegations of misconduct and public embarrassment to the state administration.

According to an official order, the 1993-batch IPS officer has been posted as Director General of Police (Police Manual) until further orders. The state government also declared the post equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre post of Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Special Units and Economic Offences, Bengaluru, under the IPS (Pay) Rules, 2016.

Rao, former Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) , was suspended in January after alleged objectionable videos involving him surfaced on television and social media. Although he claimed the footage was fabricated, reports later said a government-appointed panel found the videos to be genuine. The Karnataka government had termed his behaviour inappropriate for a senior public servant. His suspension was later revoked ahead of retirement, while departmental proceedings are said to be continuing.

A senior police officer with over three decades of service, Rao has held several important positions in the Karnataka Police and is known for handling law and order, intelligence and enforcement-related assignments during his career.

Rao also came under public scrutiny after his stepdaughter, Kannada actress Ranya Rao , was arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case earlier this year. Investigators alleged that Ranya Rao, along with businessman Tarun Raju and jewellery dealer Sahil Jain , orchestrated the illegal import of gold worth more than Rs 12.56 crore from Dubai to India.

She was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, 2025, after officials allegedly recovered 14.8 kilograms of smuggled gold from her possession. The case triggered widespread political and public debate due to Rao’s senior position in the police department.

However, no formal charges linking Rao directly to the gold smuggling operation have been publicly disclosed so far. Investigations into the smuggling network are continuing, while the Karnataka government has now cleared the way for Rao’s return to service.