Bhubaneswar: The State Government has conferred powers of arrest, investigation, and prosecution to Police Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors for cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
A notification in this regard has been issued by the Home Department.
The move aims to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing and addressing atrocities against SC/ST communities.
Previously, these powers were primarily vested with officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). The delegation of powers to Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors will enable quicker response and investigation into cases of atrocities, ensuring that justice is delivered in a timely manner.
This move is expected to strengthen the implementation of the Act and provide better protection to the SC/ST communities in Odisha.