Siddaramaiah: SIT chief to be replaced if deputed to Centre

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday, July 31, said senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty will be replaced as head of the SIT probing the alleged “mass burials” in Dharmasthala if he takes up central deputation. Even as Siddaramaiah said Pronab Mohanty will be replaced on taking central government duty, Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government has not taken any decision yet.

There has been speculation that Director General of Police (Internal Security Division) Pronab Mohanty, who has found a place in the list of empanelment of Director General-rank officers to serve in the Union government released by the Centre, will be replaced as the SIT chief.

When reporters questioned whether the SIT chief in the Dharmasthala case will be replaced, Siddaramaiah said, “Let's see. If he (Mohanty) goes to central government (he will be replaced)…”

Home Minister Parameshwara said, “There are a lot of misconceptions on this. As the government wanted a senior official of DG ranking to head the SIT, Mohanty was appointed. Meanwhile, Mohanty's name has come in the central government deputation list."

We have not taken any decision in this regard, whether to send him on central government's deputation or not. It comes under Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) and the Chief Minister.