Mumbai, July 20 -- A Supreme Court special bench on Monday indicated it may appoint an independent committee to verify the salary claims of thousands of Sahara Group employees before deciding whether any money can be released from the Sebi-Sahara refund account.

A three-judge special bench was constituted on the recommendation of Chief Justice Surya Kant to hear the long-pending cases.

The bench, consisting of Justice M.M. Sundresh, Justice Prasanna B. Varale and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, made it clear that the committee will first examine who is entitled to it and if they have worked for Sahara. Based on the committee's report, the court will further decide the case.

"Now we will appoint a committee. Based upon the committee's report...