Overview
- The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms placed Rao under suspension with immediate effect under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969, citing a prima facie violation of Rule 3 of the 1968 Conduct Rules.
- The order grants only subsistence allowance during suspension and bars him from leaving headquarters without written permission from the state government.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered an inquiry and said disciplinary action would follow if misconduct is established, with the Home Department asked to report on the matter.
- Rao rejected the allegations as fabricated and AI-manipulated, claimed some footage dates back eight years to his Belagavi posting, and failed in an attempt to meet Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
- Media describe three stitched clips showing the officer in uniform inside his chamber with women, with no independent verification to date, as political opponents and activists press for strict action and recall his link to a 2025 gold-smuggling case involving his stepdaughter.