‘Unacceptable conduct’: Karnataka home minister says DGP Ramachandra Rao could face dismissal if charges proven

BENGALURU/KGF: Hours after the state govt ordered suspension of DGP K Ramachandra Rao in connection with unverified sleaze videos allegedly involving him, home minister G Parameshwara Tuesday said such acts are 'disrespectful and unacceptable'.

"The state govt reacted swiftly by initiating disciplinary action against the DGP regardless of his seniority. If the case against him is found to be true, he could even be dismissed from service," he said.


He said immediately after reports about Ramachandra Rao surfaced in the media, he sought details from senior police officials and discussed the matter with chief minister Siddaramaiah.

"I apprised the chief minister of the developments, and he directed that immediate action be taken, stressing that such incidents should not be tolerated in the police department under any circumstances. Acting on the CM's instructions, Ramachandra Rao was placed under suspension," Parameshwara said.

Explanation submitted

The home minister added that the DGP submitted his explanation regarding the allegations. "If the charges turn out to be false, we will examine it after inquiry. But, on the face of it, the conduct appears to be improper. Such behaviour does not bring respect to anyone, which is why the suspension was ordered," he said.

Responding to reports that he declined to meet Rao after the video clip went viral, Parameshwara said: "I was resting at that time and was not meeting anyone. In such situations, we must be very cautious. That is why I did not see him."
‘Oppn has no work but to blame me’
As the DGP episode snowballed into a political controversy, with opposition leaders branding him “incapable” and holding him responsible for a spate of criminal incidents in the state, Parameshwara said : “It has become routine for the opposition to blame me for everything. Be it a murder or any other issue, they have no work but to blame me without ascertaining the facts. I have been discharging my duties to the best of my abilitybased on constitutional values. I will neither be deterred by such criticism nor shirk my responsibilities. In every case, the law will take its own course.”

Referring to the Sidlaghatta incident in which a Congress functionary allegedly threatened a woman bureaucrat and later went absconding, he said in KGF that police formed multiple teams to trace him. “No leader is above the law. The rule of law applies equally to every individual,” he added.