The Karnataka Government on Friday appointed Chetan Singh Rathore as the new head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2012 Dharmasthala rape and murder case. Rathore, Inspector General of Police (IGP), CID, replaces N Shashi Kumar, who sought to be relieved of the responsibility of heading the team, according to sources.

The appointment was formalised through a rectification order issued by the State Government on October 30, amending its September 24 order constituting the five-member SIT. The government also replaced Additional Superintendent of Police Venkatesh Prasanna, who was serving as Additional SP, Bengaluru Rural, with Srinidhi, Additional SP, Hassan district. The remaining appointments have been retained.

Shashi Kumar had reportedly requested the Director General and Inspector General of Police, M A Saleem, to be relieved of the responsibility citing personal reasons.…