'Govt will decide on replacing Mohanty in SIT probing Dharmasthala case': Parameshwara

Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said that the government will decide if there is a need to replace Pronab Mohanty, who is heading the SIT probing the Dharmasthala mass burials case.

Parameshwara was reacting to a question by reporters after the Centre released the list of empanelment of Director General-rank officers to be eligible to serve in the Union government, which includes the name of Mohanty.

Mohanty is currently the DGP of the Internal Security Division (ISD), Karnataka.

"We will discuss if there is a possibility that the officer can handle the SIT even though he will be on a Central deputation, or if he needs to be replaced. If the law allows it, he will continue; if not, a same-ranked officer will replace him," the home minister said.

The government formed the SIT, headed by Mohanty, on July 19.

The team also consists of Deputy Inspector General of Police (Recruitment) M N Anucheth and IPS officer Jitendra Kumar Dayama.