SIT stands for Special Investigation Team. SIT are specially trained squads of Indian law enforcement agents that specialise in probing complicated criminal occurrences. There is no provision in the constitution that requires SIT to hear a certain type of matter. SIT is used when it is revealed that the present agency is unable to undertake a proper investigation in the specific case, or when a case is made against high-profile persons who may have an influence on the current agency's inquiry. When a matter is presented before the court and the court determines that the current agencies are not heading in the proper direction for a variety of reasons such as compromised, prejudiced, a shortage of resources, corrupted, ted-tape, and so on, the court deploys a new unit to examine the issue. First, the SIT sends its report to the first-instance court. It is then up to the court's board to eventually accept or reject this document.
SIT's only mission is to undertake free and impartial inquiries into difficult matters. The SIT is led by an independent committee of outstanding investigators and is sanctioned by extrajudicial authorities.
SIT is appointed by the court and is only tasked with advising and collecting evidence. In this regard, it differs significantly from CBI. It is a stopgap solution, and SIT will cease to exist once the matter is resolved. It is made up of distinguished police personnel from the profession. To gather facts for the case, department chiefs of the state police force, notable ex-police officers, and government workers are frequently appointed.
The Supreme Court of India or the state government appoints the SIT.
The team examines the matter and prepares a report for the court.
The report is being reviewed at various levels of appeal.
The court has the authority to accept or reject the report.
If the recommendation is rejected or not authorised, the fate of the case will be decided by the appeal jury.
Several cases might be referred to SIT. These cases may involve high-profile incidents, and in most cases, the local police force has failed to conclude.The most well-known case handled by SIT was the 1984 Delhi riots. SIT has been asked several times to investigate corruption cases, including social, political, and religious elements. Examples include the Palghar lynching, Amaravati land dealings, the murder of journalist Kalburgi, the murder of Gauri Lankesh, and so on.
Unfortunately, SIT has already been chastised for failing to reach findings due to political influences. SIT comprises distinguished ex-police officers from state and federal agencies, although non-partisan entities oversee its operations. SIT must be free and impartial to achieve definite decisions in their cases without political prejudice.
The SIT is made up of highly trained Indian law enforcement officers who investigate significant criminal situations.
The SIT is constituted and assigned the task of probing unfinished cases previously handled by other authorities. When situations involving high-profile persons arise, the SIT is also called into action. Celebrities, politicians, and even leaders of criminal or terrorist organisations are included.
When agencies give up on their cases, they usually produce a report to the court outlining the grounds for their decision, such as corruption, compromise, prejudice, and a lack of information and resources. When authorities discontinue investigating matters under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, they are referred to the SIT for further inquiry.
The SIT is appointed by the Government of the State or the Supreme Court of India.
The Gauri Lankesh murder, journalist Kalburgi murder case, Palghar Lynching, and Amaravati land deals are the few solved by SIT.
SITs are ad hoc investigative committees formed from time to time to look into any issue or grievance. The CBI is an executive body established under the Delhi Police Special Establishment Act.
If the court rejects SIT report, the case will have to wait for a jury judgement.
SIT is a provisional team and will cease to exist once the matter is resolved. It is made up of distinguished police personnel from the profession. To gather facts for a case, department chiefs of the state police force, notable ex-police officers, and government workers are frequently appointed.