Question

An offence committed under SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, shall be investigated by a Police Officer not below the rank of ______.
1. Police Sub - Inspector
2. Police Inspector
3. Deputy Superintendent of Police
4. Additional Commissioner of Police

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Deputy Superintendent of Police

The correct answer is Deputy Superintendent of Police.

• Investigation:
  • Investigation. According to Rule 7(1) investigation of an offence committed under the SC/ST Act cannot be investigated by an officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
• Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
  • The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prohibit discrimination, prevent atrocities and hate crimes against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
  • The Act is popularly known as the SC Act And ST Act, POA, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act.
  • It was enacted when the provisions of the existing laws (such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 and Indian Penal Code) were found to be inadequate to check these crimes (defined as 'atrocities' in the Act). 
  • Recognizing the continuing gross indignities and offences against Scheduled Castes and Tribes, the Parliament passed the 'Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.