The Karnataka state government has revised an earlier order dated 31 December, reassigning three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers with immediate effect. The amended notification, issued on 2 January, moves the officers between key policing and vigilance roles across the state.
Karnataka IPS transfers: Key changes announced
The most prominent change names D.R. Siri Gouri, currently serving as the Lokayukta Director General of Police (DGP), to a new senior posting. The revised order grants her the DGP position at KPCL with immediate effect. The move is effective immediately according to the official release from the state government.
Another change affects DGP Dr M. Ashwini, who has been reassigned to the vigilance division of the Water Resources Department. The order records a downward change in rank for Dr Ashwini to take charge of the department’s vigilance wing. The notification did not provide further detail on the reasons behind the adjustment.
The third transfer involves Deka Kishore Babu, principal of the Kalaburagi Police Training Centre and serving police superintendent, who has been posted to the vacant position of Additional Director General (ADG) in the State Intelligence Department. That appointment is also effective immediately.
State officials described the revisions as part of routine administrative reshuffling intended to address vacancies and operational requirements. The government opted to revise the December 31 orders rather than issuing entirely new postings, signalling an effort to implement the changes quickly ahead of the new year.
The revised postings place experienced officers in sensitive and senior roles: the Lokayukta and intelligence assignments touch on oversight and state security, while the vigilance role in the Water Resources Department concerns anti-corruption and compliance matters within a major public-sector portfolio.
Observers note that transfers and reassignments among senior IPS officers are a regular feature of state administration, used to refresh leadership at key posts and respond to evolving administrative priorities. However, in this case officials have not publicly elaborated the administrative rationale for each specific move.
Local policing analysts said the appointment of D.R. Siri Gouri to a DGP-level role could strengthen co-ordination between anti-corruption oversight and operational command in certain infrastructure sectors. Similarly, placing an experienced officer in the intelligence vacancy is likely intended to maintain continuity in the state’s capacity to monitor internal security risks.
The state government’s notification is being circulated to the relevant departments and district administrations to ensure the immediate assumption of duties. Additional details or further reshuffles may follow as the administration finalises subordinate postings prompted by these senior transfers.
For now, the revised order stands as the official directive implementing the new postings. The state has not announced any public ceremonies or handover events in connection with these transfers.
Key Takeaways:
- State government revises orders issued on 31 December affecting three senior IPS officers.
- Lokayukta DGP D.R. Siri Gouri elevated to KPCL DGP with immediate effect.
- DGP Dr M. Ashwini moved to the Water Resources vigilance division by demotion in post.
- Kalaburagi training centre head Deka Kishore Babu shifted to the vacant ADG post in the State Intelligence Department.
