Supreme Court Delivers Split Verdict On SIT To Probe 2023 Akola Riots

The Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on Maharashtra’s review plea challenging the direction to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) with officers from both Hindu and Muslim communities to probe the 2023 Akola riots.

Justice Sanjay Kumar dismissed the plea, holding that the order ensured transparency and fairness, remarking that “secularism must be practised in reality, not remain on paper.”

However, Justice Satish Chandra Sharma held that specifying SIT composition by religion required further consideration and issued notice for an open-court hearing.

The matter will now be placed before a larger Bench for final determination.

[State of Maharashtra & Ors. v Mohammad Afzal Mohammad Sharif]