Rudrapur, Jan. 14 -- A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe into the alleged suicide of a 39-year-old farmer from Kashipur, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Udham Singh Nagar said on Tuesday, while the Kumaon commissioner has also initiated a magisterial inquiry into the case. SSP Manikant Mishra said the SIT, headed by the Superintendent of Police (Crime and Traffic), has been tasked with conducting a fair and transparent investigation. "An SIT has been formed under the SP (Crime) and experienced officers have been included to ensure an impartial probe," Mishra said. According to police, the farmer was allegedly duped of Rs.4 crore in a fake land deal, which led to him taking the extreme step. He shot himself in a hotel room in Gaulapar under Kathgodam police station of Nainital district in the early hours on Sunday. The next day, at least 26 people were booked on charges of abetment to suicide and cheating, after a complaint was lodged by the deceased's 25-year-old brother on Monday. Before taking the extreme step, the farmer recorded and circulated a video on social media, alleging fraud by land mafia members and accusing the police in Kashipur of inaction and humiliation. In an administrative reshuffle following the incident, inspector Ravi Saini and senior sub-inspector Jaswinder Singh were appointed in-charge of ITI police station and Paiga police outpost, respectively. ITI police station in-charge Kundan Singh Rautela was suspended, while Paiga outpost in-charge Jitendra Kumar was attached to the police lines in Rudrapur. Meanwhile, Kumaon commissioner Deepak Rawat has begun a magisterial inquiry into the matter. Appointed as the inquiry officer by the government, Rawat said that anyone wishing to submit evidence or record a statement may do so at his Haldwani office within a week. Taking serious note of the case, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday evening had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and directed Kumaon commissioner Deepak Rawat to conduct the probe. The chief minister said a fair and transparent investigation must be carried out to ascertain all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. He emphasised that strict action should be taken against those responsible if any negligence or wrongdoing is found at any level. Dhami also sought a detailed report on the incident from chief secretary Anand Bardhan and director general of police Deepam Seth....