Dharmasthala Case: SIT Chief Pronab Mohanty replace!

Dharmasthala Case: A significant development Pronab Mohanty, the Director General of Police (Internal Security Division) in Karnataka, who is currently heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the Dharmasthala case has been included in the list of IPS officers found eligible for central deputation.

According to reports on July 30, 2025, Pronab Mohanty has been included in the list of IPS officers found eligible for central deputation. The Central Government’s Appointment Committee has short-listed 35 IPS officers nationwide, and Mohanty is the only one from Karnataka to make this list.

This makes him eligible for potential postings to premier investigation agencies like the CBI and NIA, or other central government departments. This development raises questions about his continued leadership of the Dharmasthala SIT.

Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara has stated that if Mohanty proceeds to central service, discussions will be held to appoint a new officer to lead the SIT. He also mentioned that they would examine whether he can continue to lead the SIT even after being deputed to the Centre, though this is generally unlikely for a full-time, state-cadre SIT chief.

What is Central Deputation for IPS officers?

It’s a system where IPS (Indian Police Service) officers, who are allocated to state cadres, can be temporarily transferred to serve in various central government organizations and ministries.

These postings can be in various capacities, including in central police organizations (like CBI, NIA, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB), intelligence agencies (IB, R&AW), central ministries (e.g., Ministry of Home Affairs), or other central departments.

The idea is to utilize the expertise of IPS officers at the national level and also provide them with diverse experience beyond their state cadres. There’s a “Central Deputation Reserve” in each state cadre, allowing a certain percentage of officers to be on central deputation at any given time.

Pronab Mohanty, a 1994-batch IPS officer, is highly regarded at the central level. His potential move would certainly create a leadership void in the critical Dharmasthala SIT, which is currently in the midst of exhumation processes. The Karnataka government will need to make a decision on his replacement if he accepts a central posting.

Also Read: Dharmasthala Case Big Update: SIT finds lady ATM card, blouse, PAN, bag in first spot!