Notification empowers SI and Inspector to investigate ST-SC cases in Jharkhand

Ranchi: In a significant development, the Home Arts and Disaster Management Department in Jharkhand issued a notification on Tuesday, expanding the authority to investigate cases under the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes (ST-SC) Act 1989. According to the notification, officers at the SI (Sub-Inspector) and Inspector levels, in addition to DSPs (Deputy Superintendent of Police), are now empowered to appear before any Special Court under the ST-SP Act. They can exercise powers related to arrest, investigation, and prosecution of individuals in such cases.

This notification marks a shift in the hierarchy of officers allowed to handle ST-SC cases, providing SI and Inspector rank officers the jurisdiction to independently investigate these cases in the state of Jharkhand. The move is expected to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the law enforcement process in addressing crimes and offenses related to ST-SC communities.

The decision to grant SI and Inspector-level officers the right to investigate ST-SC cases was approved in a cabinet meeting held on November 22. Prior to this amendment, only officers at the DSP level were authorized to undertake such investigations.