Patna: The Bihar Police Department has announced a stringent crackdown on the filing of fraudulent cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST) Atrocities Prevention Act. Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar has made it clear that those found guilty of filing false cases will face strict legal action.
The announcement came during a workshop at the Police Headquarters, Sardar Patel Bhavan, where the DGP emphasized the need for fair investigations and swift action against false complainants. This decision follows a sharp increase in cases filed under the SC-ST Act, raising concerns over potential misuse of the law.
DGP Vinay Kumar stated that Bihar has seen a surge in cases under the SC-ST Act in recent years. Previously, around 3,000 cases were registered annually, but this figure has now more than doubled to 7,000 cases per year in the past 5-7 years.
The police department has noted that while the Act is essential for protecting marginalized communities, false accusations undermine its credibility and waste valuable law enforcement resources. “If an investigation finds any complaint to be fabricated, the person responsible will face legal consequences,” said DGP Kumar.
He urged police officers to conduct thorough and impartial investigations before filing charges and to take strict action against those misusing the Act for personal or political gains.
Bihar has emerged as a leader in strengthening law enforcement infrastructure for SC-ST-related cases. The state has 40 dedicated SC-ST police stations, the highest in the country. Out of 140 such special police stations across India, nearly one-third are located in Bihar.
To further streamline the process, the DGP announced that general police stations across the state have now been authorized to register SC-ST cases, ensuring easier access to justice for genuine victims.
Additionally, these special police stations are being equipped with modern facilities to enhance efficiency in handling sensitive cases.
Along with measures to curb misuse of the law, the Bihar government has taken steps to ensure timely justice for genuine victims of caste-based atrocities.
DGP Kumar highlighted that compensation payments to victims under the SC-ST Act are now being processed within 24 hours of the complaint being verified. This move has positioned Bihar as a leading state in the implementation of the SC-ST Act.
“The swift disbursal of compensation ensures that victims receive financial relief without unnecessary delays, reinforcing our commitment to justice,” he said.
While reaffirming the state’s commitment to protecting the rights of SC-ST communities, DGP Kumar also stressed the importance of balancing justice with accountability.
He urged all police officials to conduct fair and transparent investigations and to take strict action against false complainants to prevent any misuse of the Act.
The new measures have been welcomed by legal experts and social activists, who believe they will help maintain the integrity of the SC-ST Act while ensuring justice for genuine victims.
With these developments, Bihar continues to set a precedent for responsible law enforcement, aiming to uphold the spirit of the SC-ST Act while preventing its exploitation for false accusations.
