India, Oct. 27 -- Days after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegation that Rs.500 crore was paid to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil to benefit the ruling alliance in the 2024 assembly elections, Mumbai police commissioner Deven Bharti has constituted a three-member SIT to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the audio clips made public by Jarange-Patil last week.

The SIT, which is headed by additional commissioner of police Shailesh Balkawade (South Region) and comprises DCP Vijaykant Sagar (Zone III) and DCP Bajrang Bansode of the cybercrime branch, has been tasked with conducting a forensic examination, along with other technical and digital ...