Mangaluru: Former DySP Anupama Shenoy demands removal of Pranab Mohanty as SIT Chief in Dharmasthala probe

Mangaluru: Former DySP Anupama Shenoy demands removal of Pranab Mohanty as SIT Chief in Dharmasthala probe

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 28, 2025: Former DySP Anupama Shenoy has demanded the removal of IPS officer Pranab Mohanty, who is currently heading the SIT investigating the Dharmasthala murders.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Press Club in the city, Shenoy urged the government to replace Pranab Mohanty with IPS officers like Dr. K. Ramachandra Rao or Dayananda.

She pointed out that the appointment of Mohanty as SIT chief has been linked to High Court writ petition No. 8403/2025, which pertains to cybercrime. During that period, Mohanty, who served as ADGP of CID’s Cyber Economics and Narcotics (CEN) division, was ordered to form the SIT.

Shenoy added, “Pranab holds two B.E. degrees, an M.S. in Computer Science, and a PhD, and is a certified Forensic Computer Examiner. These qualifications clearly indicate his expertise is in cybercrime, not in investigating crimes such as rape and murder. Even police officers have raised concerns about his suitability for this case.”

She further recalled the tragic incident involving DySP M.K. Ganapathy, who had allegedly faced immense political pressure from Minister K.J. George and had named both George and IPS officers A.M. Pusad and Pranab Mohanty before his suicide.

“Therefore, there are strong suspicions among police personnel that K.J. George has a role in Mohanty’s appointment as SIT chief. The government must respect the sentiments of the police force and immediately cancel Mohanty’s appointment, assigning the investigation to another officer,” Shenoy demanded.