Overview
- The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms ordered an immediate suspension citing prima facie violation of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules and described the conduct as obscene and unbecoming of a government servant.
- During suspension, Rao will receive a subsistence allowance and cannot leave headquarters without written permission from the state government.
- The circulated clips reportedly comprise three stitched segments showing intimate acts inside his official chamber, sometimes in uniform, while separate audio recordings also surfaced, and none of the material has been independently authenticated.
- Rao denied wrongdoing, calling the material fabricated and AI-manipulated, suggested it could be from an older Belagavi posting, sought legal counsel, and was not granted a meeting with Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed a probe underlining that no officer is above the law, and the home minister said investigators will verify authenticity and the women’s identities and warned that dismissal could follow if guilt is established.