Nagpur: In a major development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday modified the Bombay High Court’s directive ordering a CBI probe into alleged financial irregularities in the Nirmal Co-operative Society and instead directed that the investigation be conducted by a Special Investigating Team (SIT) under the supervision of the High Court.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while admitting the criminal appeal filed by the society, held that a court-monitored SIT probe would be an appropriate alternative and set aside the High Court’s earlier direction that mandated involvement of the CBI.
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03 dec 2025
The Apex Court directed the Director General of Police, Maharashtra, to constitute the SIT, which must be headed by an officer of the rank of Commissioner of Police. The team will also include an IPS officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police, and one Deputy Superintendent of Police with expertise in investigating economic offences.
While providing partial relief to the society by removing the CBI from the investigation, the bench refused to stay the High Court’s order entirely. It observed that the CBI is already burdened with numerous probes, including matters of national significance, and assigning the present case to the central agency may adversely impact ongoing investigations of greater public importance.
The Supreme Court stressed that the SIT must function independently and impartially, specifically directing that no officer with previous experience in the Nagpur Police Commissionerate should be appointed to the team. This measure, the court noted, would prevent any possible conflict of interest.
The bench also clarified that the High Court’s earlier observations should not be treated as conclusions by the SIT and that the investigation must proceed in a neutral and objective manner. Additionally, the High Court has been granted the authority to replace any SIT member if circumstances require.
The SIT will now examine the FIRs registered in the case involving alleged fund misappropriation and irregular financial transactions under the supervision of the High Court. The matter will next be taken up for progress review as per the schedule to be fixed by the High Court.
