Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Wednesday revoked the suspension order issued against senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao and reinstated him into service with immediate effect.
According to an official government order, the 1993-batch IPS officer has now been appointed as Director General of Police (Police Manual) until further orders.
Officials stated that the post has been treated as equivalent in rank to the Director General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The order regarding his reinstatement was issued by B S Sanjay from the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
Reinstatement ahead of retirement
Sources in the administration indicated that Ramachandra Rao is scheduled to retire from service on May 31 this year.
His reinstatement comes several months after he was placed under suspension following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a woman employee in his office.
Before the suspension, Rao had been serving as Director General of Police of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.
Officials confirmed that the earlier suspension order has now been formally withdrawn by the state government.
Suspension followed misconduct allegations
Ramachandra Rao had been suspended on January 19 after allegations surfaced regarding alleged inappropriate behaviour with a woman in his office premises.
At the time, the Karnataka government had also ordered an inquiry into the allegations.
The controversy gained significant public attention after videos allegedly showing Rao in objectionable circumstances with the woman were circulated widely on television news channels and social media platforms.
The incident had triggered political reactions and public debate, leading to the immediate suspension of the senior police officer pending inquiry.
Government issues fresh posting order
With the suspension now revoked, the government has assigned Rao a fresh posting as DGP (Police Manual), a role considered administratively equivalent to a senior DGP-level position.
Officials did not immediately provide further details regarding the status or findings of the inquiry that had been initiated earlier into the allegations.
Administrative sources stated that the reinstatement order came after a review of the suspension and related proceedings.
Senior officer returns to service
Ramachandra Rao’s reinstatement marks his return to active service less than a month before his scheduled retirement.
The development has attracted attention within administrative and police circles due to the high-profile nature of the earlier allegations and suspension proceedings.
Political observers and legal experts are expected to closely monitor whether further official clarification is issued regarding the inquiry process connected to the case.
Meanwhile, the government order restoring him to service has come into immediate effect.
Debate continues over accountability and procedure
The reinstatement has also revived discussion regarding disciplinary procedures involving senior government officials and the handling of allegations against public servants.
Administrative experts note that suspension is generally considered a temporary measure pending inquiry and does not amount to a final finding of guilt.
However, the circulation of the alleged videos and the public attention surrounding the case had made the matter highly sensitive within Karnataka’s administrative and political circles.
Further developments are likely depending on whether additional details emerge regarding the inquiry proceedings or related administrative decisions.