Markandapur, 15th Sept 2025: The SC/ST organization of Jajpur has strongly opposed a notification issued by the State Home Department on August 30, which allows Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors of police to investigate cases filed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
According to Rule 7 of the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Rules, such cases must be investigated by an officer not below the rank of DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police). The organization alleges that the new notification undermines the strength of the Act, thereby weakening protections meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
A memorandum has been submitted to the Governor and Chief Minister, demanding immediate withdrawal of the notification. The SC/ST leaders claim that allowing lower-ranking officers to investigate will dilute the effectiveness of the Act and fail to achieve its core purpose—protecting marginalized communities from discrimination and atrocities.
The Jajpur district SC/ST organization — represented by Bharat Chandra Das, Benudhar Mallik, Bharat Mallik, Mohan Mallik, Anil Mallik, Dibakar Mallik, Manoj Jena, Abdul Raap, and others — submitted the demand letter to the district administration addressed to the Chief Minister.