The Karnataka High Court appointed senior IPS officer R Hitendra to head the reconstituted SIT. The changes follow Supreme Court directions aimed at ensuring an independent and credible investigation.Stock photo used for illustrationBengaluru,Nov 2, 2026 23:18 ISTThe Karnataka High Court has appointed senior IPS officer R Hitendra to head the Special Investigation Team probing alleged irregularities in the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers by the Karnataka Public Service Commission, Press Trust of India reported.The court reconstituted the five-member SIT following directions from the Supreme Court to change its chief and replace one of its members.A single-judge bench of Justice M Nagaprasanna, sitting at the Dharwad bench, modified its earlier order and appointed Hitendra, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, in place of ADGP Alok Kumar.The court also appointed ADGP, Police Administration, Somendu Mukherjee as an SIT member, replacing Inspector General of Police and Director of the State Forensic Science Laboratory Dr Divya Gopinathan, according to PTI.

The other members — Deputy Commissioner of Police Anoop Shetty, Superintendent of Police Kushal Chouksey and Deputy Commissioner of Police Shama Mishra — will continue in the team.On September 21, the High Court had ordered the formation of a five-member SIT headed by Alok Kumar to investigate the alleged irregularities. The state government later challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court allowed the state government to suggest alternative officers to replace the SIT chief and another member. Following its directions, the government submitted the names of four officers to the High Court and recommended two of them for inclusion in the team.The government also told the High Court that the SIT had been given the status of a police station.The High Court directed the SIT to conduct an independent and credible investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities.

It also asked the state government to appoint personnel recommended by the SIT and provide all necessary infrastructure and resources for the investigation.The court said officers of the Criminal Investigation Department who were earlier involved in the investigation should not be retained in the SIT. It also directed the Enforcement Directorate and the SIT to coordinate and complement each other's efforts.The reconstituted SIT, headed by Hitendra, will investigate the allegations concerning the recruitment of 400 veterinary officers.- Ends