In a landmark reform aimed at strengthening justice for marginalized communities, the Karnataka government will operationalise 33 exclusive police stations across the state on April 14 to handle cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
This strategic move follows persistent demands to enhance the functioning of the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), especially in light of the state’s low conviction rates in atrocity-related cases. While Bengaluru will get two of these specialised units, the remaining 31 will be located across other districts.
Until now, DCRE’s role was restricted to preliminary inquiries. With these dedicated stations, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for DCRE will gain the authority to appoint Investigating Officers (IOs). These IOs will take over cases from Sub-Divisional Police Officers and submit final reports directly to special courts.
The initiative, stemming from a 2023–24 Budget commitment by CM Siddaramaiah, aims to ensure faster and more impartial investigations. It also seeks to address the growing issue of counter-complaints, which, according to the Social Welfare Department, account for nearly 28% of atrocity-related FIRs between 2020 and 2024.
The exclusive setup is expected to bring more transparency, accountability, and sensitivity to investigations involving Dalit and tribal communities.
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