Supreme Court sets up new SIT to investigate Noida official-builder nexus
The Supreme Court asked the UP chief secretary to post a chief vigilance officer in NOIDA, who should either be from the IPS cadre or on deputation from CAG.
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A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also barred the construction of new projects in Noida without an environmental impact assessment and approval by the Supreme Court’s green bench. (Express Archives)The Supreme Court Wednesday directed the Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged collusion between land owners and officials of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA), which allegedly led to the owners being paid exorbitant compensation for acquired lands at the cost of the exchequer.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi also barred the construction of new projects in Noida without an environmental impact assessment and approval by the Supreme Court’s green bench.
On January 23, the apex court set up an SIT to probe the allegations of excess payments.
On Wednesday, while considering the SIT report, the bench directed the setting up of a new SIT with three IPS officers. This SIT, it said, “will immediately register preliminary enquiries and proceed to inquire into the points highlighted by the previous SIT”.
“In this regard, forensic experts as well as the Economic Offences Wing of the state police shall be associated… If the SIT, after preliminary enquiry, finds that a prima facie cognizable offence was committed, it shall register the case and proceed further in accordance with law.”
The court also ordered that the SIT’s findings be placed on record as a status report by its head, an officer not below the rank of commissioner of police.
“In order to infuse transparency and a citizen-centric approach in the day-to-day functioning of NOIDA, a copy of the SIT report… shall be placed before the UP Chief Secretary, who in turn shall place it along with the appropriate agenda item before the Council of Ministers to take an appropriate decision,” the court directed.
The court asked the UP chief secretary to post a chief vigilance officer in NOIDA, who should either be from the IPS cadre or on deputation from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The bench asked the chief secretary to put up the matter before the competent authority, and ensure that a citizen advisory board is constituted for NOIDA within 4 weeks.
“Wherever the SIT is required to seek prior sanction to prosecute officers, the competent authority shall accord sanction within 2 weeks of submission of the application.”
The court will take up the matter next after eight weeks.
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