Ramachandra Rao case: Karnataka women’s panel seeks POSH probe; Umesh Kumar named acting DGP

The controversy surrounding K Ramachandra Rao, suspended Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) in Karnataka, has escalated with the Karnataka State Commission for Women seeking a formal probe under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH), intensifying scrutiny of the senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer already embroiled in a viral video scandal.

The women’s panel, headed by Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary, said Rao’s alleged conduct creates a sense of insecurity among women and sends a wrong message across civil society, urging authorities to initiate a transparent and swift internal inquiry. 
The move comes amid widespread outrage after audio and video clips purportedly showing Rao in compromising situations inside a government office circulated on social media and news platforms.
In response to the controversy, Rao was suspended with immediate effect by the Karnataka government, which said his conduct was “obscene” and “unbecoming of a government servant,” and ordered an official inquiry to ascertain the facts.
As the inquiry proceeds, the state government has appointed Umesh Kumar, IPS, currently Director General of Police (Recruitment), Bengaluru, in concurrent charge as the new DGP (Civil Rights Enforcement) until further orders.
His posting was formalised on Wednesday, following Rao’s suspension. The decision ensures continuity in leadership at the department while the probe into Rao’s actions continues.
The controversy began earlier this week when multiple unverified clips purportedly showing Rao in intimate situations with women inside his official office went viral across digital platforms. The Karnataka government reacted swiftly, placing Rao under suspension pending a deeper investigation.
Rao, a 1993-batch IPS officer who took charge as DGP of the Civil Rights Enforcement division in October 2023, has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
He has called the videos “fabricated and false,” suggesting they were part of a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. Rao also claimed that some footage may be old, possibly dating back to his earlier postings. Below is the clipping that went viral: 

State leaders, including Home Minister G Parameshwara, have publicly condemned the alleged conduct, describing it as “disrespectful and unacceptable,” while emphasising that if allegations are proven, Rao could be dismissed from service.
Women and Child Welfare Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar said she had not seen the reports yet but stressed that anyone found guilty would be punished strictly as per the law.

 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah echoed the stance, asserting that no one is above the law and that disciplinary action will follow established procedures after investigation.

The controversy has sparked responses from political parties and civil society, with demands for a thorough, impartial probe. Opposition leaders have accused the government of initially appearing slow to act, while activists and legal experts emphasise the need for a transparent investigation into the clips’ authenticity.

Rao’s suspension and the women’s panel’s demand for a POSH-based inquiry add a new dimension to the saga, underscoring broader concerns about accountability and workplace ethics within public institutions. Umesh Kumar’s interim leadership will be critical in stabilising the Civil Rights Enforcement Division during this turbulent period.