The move elicited surprise on Wednesday in the police circle.

Sources said Balaji’s transfer came as the SIT was getting ready to lay its hands on the scamsters who committed irregularities in Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation’s projects.

“The SIT was likely to file a chargesheet in connection with the multi-crore scam,” a source disclosed.

An IPS officer of the 1976-batch, Balaji was associated with the investigation into the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and has a reputation of a being an upright officer in the police circle.

“The government chose Balaji who had served the country’s premier investigative agency for a long time.

His exit from the SIT is a big mystery,” said a senior IPS officer.

Lal is also considered an honest officer: he is already handling the sensational police recruitment scam case that involves about two dozen IPS officers, besides a number of PPS officers.

“It remains to be seen how he manages both departments simultaneously,” said another senior police officer.

Sources also said that Lal is all set to retire in the second half of this year and thus, has given priority to wrap up the probe into the police scam before his retirement.

The state government has also transferred one DG-rank officer and four ADG-rank officers, including Balaji on Wednesday.