What is special investigation team and how it works?

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What is special investigation team and how it works?
Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. India accused a U.S. government commission of politicizing communal violence in New Delhi that killed at least 30 people and injured more than 200 as President Donald Trump was visiting the country. The violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim mobs were the capital's worst communal riots in decades and saw shops, Muslim shrines and public vehicles go up in flames.Photo/Altaf Qadri)

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  • The Delhi Police deployed two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) from the Crime Branch to investigate violence in Delhi.
  • As many as 18 FIRs have been registered with the Delhi Police and nearly 106 people were arrested. All the FIRs lodged have been transferred to the investigation force.
  • This is the second time that the police had to deploy the special force to investigate and crack down on the massive violence over clashes regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
On the fifth day of violence in the North East Delhi, its death toll has swelled to 38. The Delhi Police has deployed two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) from the Crime Branch to investigate the matter.

What is special investigation team and how it works?
A Delhi municipal worker stands next to heaps of the remains of vehicles, steel cupboards and other materials on a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. India accused a U.S. government commission of politicizing communal violence in New Delhi that killed at least 30 people and injured more than 200 as President Donald Trump was visiting the country. The violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim mobs were the capital's worst communal riots in decades and saw shops, Muslim shrines and public vehicles go up in flames.Photo/Altaf Qadri)

The investigation teams headed by DCP Joy Tirkey and DCP Rajesh Deo will immediately take charge. Each team will include four Assistant Commissioners of Police, three inspectors, four sub-inspectors and three head constables. BK Singh, Commissioner of Police (Crime) will supervise the investigation progress.

As many as 18 FIRs have been registered with the Delhi Police and police arrested nearly 106 people. All the FIRs lodged have been transferred to the investigation force.

Need for special investigation officers

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Special investigation teams are brought in to deal with serious crimes. They come into action when the existing force is recognised insufficient to probe the matter. The Supreme Court, central government and state government have the authority to direct the officials in a case. They usually deal with cases involving theft, cheating, forgery, extortion, mysterious disappearance of victims and murders.

However, the special investigation teams also failed many times. As per the information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, there have been at least 10 failed cases out of the 12 during 2011-16, when SITs were given charge.

Second time over CAA violence

This is the second time that the police have to deploy the special force to investigate and crack down on the massive violence over clashes regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In December 2019, the Uttar Pradesh government also deployed SIT on directions of the Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh, IANS reported.

According to IANS, the DGP said that the SIT will take charge in each district and will be headed by an officer of an Additional SP rank. The government had then suspended mobile and internet services in the area and over 1,100 people were arrested in charge of violence related to anti-CAA protests.

In fact, the police recovered as many as 35 illegal weapons used for violence.
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