NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has instructed the establishment of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) by the Uttar Pradesh Police to probe allegations of collusion between NOIDA Authority officials and builders regarding inflated land acquisition compensation claims paid to farmers.
A bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi has ordered the formation of a new SIT comprising three IPS officers to replace the previous team.
The Supreme Court has also prohibited project development in Noida without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and prior court approval of the report by the green bench.
The court mandated that the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh create an SIT with three IPS officers to investigate concerns outlined by the earlier SIT.
The new SIT is instructed to promptly register preliminary inquiries and address the issues highlighted by the previous SIT and forensic professionals, as well as collaborate with the Economic Offense Wing (EoW) of the state police, the bench said.
If the SIT determines that a prima facie cognizable offense has occurred following preliminary inquiry, it shall register a case and continue in accordance with legal provisions, the apex court declared, also requesting a status report from the SIT.
“A copy of the SIT report should be submitted to the UP Chief Secretary, who will then present it to the Council of Ministers for appropriate action,” said the bench in its order.
Additionally, it stated that the Chief Secretary must assign a Chief Vigilance Officer in Noida, who should either be from the IPS cadre or on deputation from the CAG.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for this matter in eight weeks.
The bench was addressing a case related to the anticipatory bail plea of a NOIDA law officer, following allegations that excessive compensation had been awarded to certain landowners who were not entitled to it.
The SIT report revealed that inflated compensation was granted to landowners in 20 instances, naming the culpable NOIDA officials.
The report also suggested the necessity of reviewing bank account details of the officials, their family members, landowners, and assets accumulated by the officials during the relevant timeframe.
