SC judges split over probe team in Akola riots case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday gave a split verdict on a review plea filed by the Maharashtra government challenging an order of the top court which formed a special investigation team (SIT) comprising both Hindu and Muslim police officers to probe assault on a Muslim boy during the 2013 communal riots in Akola.

- Abraham Thomas

The bench of justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma differed on whether their judgment of September Il needs to be revisited after the state in its review plea said that the direction on the constitution of SIT, though well-intentioned, directly impinges upon the principle of institutional secularism.

While justice Kumar dismissed the review petition and rejected the applications seeking hearing of the review petition in open court, justice Sharma said that a ground was made out for review and listed the matter in open court after two weeks.