Karnataka Women’s Commission seeks action against senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka State Commission for Women has sought immediate action against the Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement) K Ramachandra Rao after alleged audio and video clips showing him engaging in obscene acts while in uniform inside his official chamber went viral.
The commission has called for a transparent inquiry, suspension from service and strict action under a zero-tolerance policy.
In the letters to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police on Monday night, the commission said it had taken serious note of visuals aired by television channels that purportedly showed Rao engaging in indecent behaviour with women while in uniform inside his office.
“The State Commission for Women has taken a very serious note of the visuals telecast on state news channels showing an IPS officer… indulging in obscene behaviour and acting in a manner amounting to sexual assault against women inside his office, while he was in uniform,” the letter said.
According to the Commission, such conduct by a senior police officer, who is expected to ensure the safety of women, sends a wrong message to society and creates a negative sentiment among women in the state.
The incident also attracts provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Seeking swift action, the commission requested that a transparent inquiry be ordered immediately, the officer be placed under suspension, and a report on the action taken be submitted within seven days.
It also urged the authorities to initiate strict action to uphold the dignity and honour of women by following a zero-tolerance approach.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government has initiated disciplinary action against Rao and placed him under suspension.
"Inquiry will also be conducted," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
The Karnataka government placed Rao under suspension with immediate effect, citing the "conduct unbecoming of a government servant and causing embarrassment to the state administration".
In response, Rao has rejected the videos and labelled them as "fabricated and false".
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
