The Supreme Court has ordered the formation of a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged collusion between Noida Authority officials and private builders, which reportedly led to farmers receiving inflated compensation for land acquisition.

The move comes after an earlier SIT, constituted by the top court itself, found that officials and builders had worked together to facilitate excessive payouts to farmers, far beyond the sanctioned amount.

The court noted that such practices raised serious concerns about corruption and misuse of public funds.

The fresh SIT will include three IPS officers, along with experts from the Forensic Accounts Department (FAD) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

The team has been tasked with conducting a detailed forensic audit of the properties and assets of Noida officials and their families over the past decade to uncover any illicit gains.

In addition to the investigation, the Supreme Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider converting Noida into a Metropolitan Council.

The state has also been directed to place the previous SIT’s findings before the Council of Ministers to decide on necessary reforms in Noida’s administration.

In a bid to strengthen oversight and curb corruption, the court directed the immediate appointment of a senior IPS or Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) officer as Noida’s Chief Vigilance Officer. This official will be responsible for continuous monitoring of the authority’s activities.

The court also instructed the creation of a Citizens Advisory Board to involve local residents in decision-making processes and ensure greater transparency in governance.

These measures, the court observed, are aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring accountability in Noida’s development and land acquisition processes.

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