New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- The US Justice Department has convened a rare special grand jury in Washington, with Steven Vandervelden, a close ally of US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, set to oversee the panel, The Washington Post reported, citing three government officials familiar with the matter.

The purpose of the grand jury has not been disclosed, but its formation is raising eyebrows because of its potential to investigate some of the most controversial cases handled by Pirro's office. The development also comes just under two weeks after Pirro infuriated President Donald Trump by dismissing vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

According to The Washington Post, Vandervelden is one...