Bengaluru: In a significant step toward enhancing justice for marginalized communities, the Karnataka government has decided to set up dedicated Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) police stations to address crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The decision, announced by Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H K Patil, aims to streamline investigations and improve conviction rates for atrocities against these communities.
Each of Karnataka’s districts will receive one dedicated DCRE police station, with Bengaluru receiving two. In total, 33 DCRE units will be established across the state. These stations will be staffed by 450 newly recruited personnel, with each unit led by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
The primary mandate of these DCRE stations will be to register and investigate cases involving atrocities against SCs and STs, ensuring timely and effective handling of such incidents. This focused approach is expected to reduce delays in investigations, which, until now, were handled by the local police already managing multiple responsibilities. Delayed investigations have often resulted in witnesses turning hostile and low conviction rates, currently standing at just 4 percent in Karnataka.
Established in 1974, the DCRE originally aimed to safeguard the civil rights of SC and ST communities. Since then, the enactment of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in 1989 has added a legislative framework specifically addressing such crimes. However, practical challenges in enforcement have persisted. Minister Patil highlighted that the new DCRE police stations are expected to address these challenges and facilitate improved outcomes for affected communities.
The new initiative is estimated to incur an annual expense of approximately Rs 73 crore. Coordination between the Home and Social Welfare departments will help establish the operational framework for these units, ensuring that they function effectively as specialized agencies in the justice system.
