Activist behind the leak of videos of IPS Ramachandra Rao

Bengaluru

According to highly placed sources in the State Intelligence, the videos purportedly showing Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao in compromising positions were allegedly leaked by a popular activist from Karnataka. The videos were allegedly made public after Rao did not pay heed to the activist’s alleged demands.

The primary viral video is a single 47-second clip that appears to be a compilation of three separate video segments stitched together. These segments reportedly show different scenes, including one in which a woman is seen wearing a churidar and another in which a woman is seen wearing a saree.

Following the video leak, two audio conversations also went viral on the same day. One audio clip is approximately 4 minutes and 28 seconds long, while the second audio clip runs for about 5 minutes and 3 seconds.

Sources speaking to blrpost.com said that the videos were filmed at the Belagavi office when Rao was serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Northern Range. The videos are said to be around seven to eight years old. The sources further said that the existence and availability of the videos were no secret within IPS, political, and journalism circles. Rao was also aware of these clips. Before the videos were leaked for public consumption, they were reportedly circulated among several IPS officers.

The source said that the same activist who was behind the leak involving late former minister H.Y. Meti is also involved in Rao’s case. Rao and the activist were allegedly negotiating over the clips, but Rao did not accede to the demands. A few years ago, when Rao first learnt about the videos, he allegedly made futile attempts to blame Bitcoin scam accused Srikrishna Ramesh, also known as Sriki. Rao is alleged to have conspired to accuse Sriki of generating fake videos of him. However, this attempt did not succeed.

The sources further said that the activist who was in possession of these videos decided to leak them when it became apparent that Rao would not agree to his terms.

On Monday night, the government suspended Rao, who was serving as DGP, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement, following the wide circulation of the videos and news reports alleging obscene conduct unbecoming of a government servant and causing embarrassment to the state.

After examining the matter, the government found a prima facie violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and ordered his suspension pending inquiry under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. During the period of suspension, he will receive subsistence allowance and will not be permitted to leave headquarters without written permission from the State Government, as specified in the order.

Who is Ramachandra Rao?

Ramachandra Rao, a 1993-batch IPS officer, was in the headlines in 2025 when his stepdaughter, actress Ranya Rao, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in a gold smuggling case.

Ranya Rao is currently lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison. Following her arrest, an investigation was launched to ascertain whether Rao was involved in the case, and he was sent on compulsory leave. However, he was later given a clean chit and subsequently posted as DGP, DCRE.