The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a split verdict on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government seeking a review of its earlier order directing the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) comprising police officers from both Hindu and Muslim communities to probe the 2023 Akola communal riots.

Justice Sanjay Kumar, who had authored the original verdict on September 11, dismissed the review plea, while Justice Satish Chandra Sharma held that the matter required consideration and directed that it be listed for open-court hearing. The issue will now be placed before the Chief Justice of India for assignment to an appropriate bench.

The Maharashtra government contended that the court’s earlier direction for an SIT formed along religious lines undermines the principle of institutio

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