Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara announced that the state government will evaluate whether to replace senior IPS officer Pronab Mohanty, the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the chilling allegations of "mass burials" in Dharmasthala. This follows Mohanty’s inclusion in the Centre’s list of Director General-rank officers for union government roles.

Parameshwara stated, "We will assess if Mohanty can continue leading the SIT from his new role or if a replacement is needed, based on law and rules." He added that if a change is required, an officer of equivalent rank would be appointed. The minister refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, saying, "I’ll speak only after the SIT submits its report."

The SIT was formed to investigate disturbing claims of mass murder, rape, and burials in Dharmasthala spanning 1995 to 2014. A former sanitation worker, whose identity remains confidential, alleged he was forced to bury multiple bodies, including those of women and minors, some showing signs of sexual assault. His statement was recorded before a magistrate.

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Led by Mohanty, the Director General of Police (Internal Security Division), the SIT includes Deputy Inspector General M N Anucheth and IPS officers Soumyalatha S K and Jitendra Kumar Dayama. The team, supported by 20 police personnel from Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, began exhumation work on Tuesday at sites identified by the complainant.

The probe continues to unfold, raising questions about justice and accountability in Dharmasthala.

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