The Union government in its review petition has contended that the job of investigation into an offence is the job of statutory investigation agency and such agency cannot be subjected to the supervision of retired judges, bureaucrats or private individuals and such a course amounts to expressing lack of faith in the investigating agency.

A bench comprising Justices B Sudarshan Reddy (since retired) and S S Nijjar had appointed SIT headed by former Supreme Court judge B P Jeevan Reddy to investigate the black money case.

Another retired Supreme Court judge M B Shah was made the Vice-Chairman of SIT and the government appointed high power committee headed by Union revenue secretary who was also made part of SIT.

The Union government has prayed for stay of the operation of the SIT order passed on July 5. The government has also pleaded that the matter may be referred to a larger bench.