Top court forms SIT to probe workings of Noida Authority

The Supreme Court on Thursday constituted a special investigation team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police to probe the functioning of the Noida Authority and the possible involvement of senior officials in a case where landowners were disbursed compensation worth ₹12 crore more than they were entitled to.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

The three-member SIT led by additional director general of police (ADGP) SB Shirodkar, along with inspector general Modak Rajesh D Rao and senior superintendent of police Hemant Kutiyal, was directed to complete its investigation within two months and submit a report to the court in sealed cover.

The case involves legal officer Dinesh Kumar Singh and assistant legal officer Virender Singh Nagar, both employed with the Noida Authority, who are facing criminal probe for causing wrongful loss to the authority after it came to light in 2021 that they sanctioned a compensation of ₹7.28 crore in a land acquisition case 22 years after it stood paid to the landowner.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said, "Allegations pertain to release of huge amounts of compensation in favour of some landowners, who, it is alleged, were not entitled to seek such higher compensation for acquisition of their lands."