Bengaluru: In a significant move to bolster justice for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the Karnataka government is set to inaugurate 33 dedicated police stations on April 14, Ambedkar Jayanti, to exclusively handle cases of atrocities against SC/ST communities.
The initiative, hailed as a historic decision by Social Welfare Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa, is expected to empower the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), which has long functioned without adequate investigative authority. While Bengaluru will have two such stations, every other district in the state will be allotted one.
“This is a historic decision of the Cabinet for the protection of the rights of Dalits,” said Mahadevappa.
The plan, though welcomed, comes two years after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah first announced the intention to strengthen the DCRE in his 2023-24 budget. Despite a mandate dating back to 1975 allowing the DCRE to gather intelligence and investigate civil rights violations, the absence of police stations meant the agency remained limited to conducting inquiries.
The operationalisation of these police stations will now allow the DCRE’s Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) to appoint dedicated Investigating Officers (IOs). These officers will take over cases from Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs), carry forward investigations, and file final reports in designated courts.
This development is particularly significant in light of the alarming conviction rates in atrocity cases. According to official statistics:
2021: 2,129 cases reported, 46 convictions (2.16%)
2022: 2,515 cases, 24 convictions (0.95%)
2023: 2,553 cases, 16 convictions (0.62%)
2024: 2,524 cases, only 2 convictions (0.07%)
From 2012 to 2024, the overall conviction rate in Karnataka for SC/ST atrocity cases stood at a mere 2.47%.
Between 2020 and 2024, nearly 28% of atrocity cases (3,118 out of 10,961) involved counter complaints, raising concerns about misuse and weakening of cases. The Chief Minister had strongly criticised the police for their handling of such cases earlier this year, accusing them of diluting atrocity complaints.
While the move has garnered praise, senior journalist and Dalit leader Indudhara Honnapura cautioned that implementation would be key. “These stations need adequate infrastructure and funds. Instead of turning them into places for punishment transfers, officers with social commitment should be posted there,” he stated.
