The investigation of offenses under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, must be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Dy. S.P. appointed by the State Government through a notification.

1. ORDER :-

In this application, the petitioner has prayed for quashing of the investigation in Biraul P.S. Case No. 56 of 1995 initiated on the basis of F.I.R. for offence punishable under Sec. 302 and other ancillary sections of the Indian Penal Code including Secs. 3/1 and 3/2 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Attrocities) Act, 1989.

2 Admittedly, after usual investigation, final form has been submitted and on the basis thereof cognizance was taken of the offences punishable under Sec. 302 and other ancillary sections of the Indian Penal Code including Secs. 3/1 and 3/2 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 as stated above and the case was committed to the Court of Session.

3. Having regard to the facts stated above, the prayer for quashing the investigation has become infructuous since the final form has already been submitted and the case has been committed to the Court of Session. Mr. Shukla, learned Sr. Advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioner has then challenged the order of taking cognisance of an offence punishable under the provision of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on the ground that in the instant case the Dy. S.P. has investigated the case and submitted the chargesheet who was not vested with the power to investigate with respect to the offence. In support of his contention learned counsel has referred to role 7 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995 which reads thus :

"7. Investigating Officer :(1) An offence committed under the Act shall be investigated by a police officer not below the rank of Dy. S. P. The Investigating Officer shall be appointed by the State Government Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police after taking into account his past experience sense of ability and justice to perceive the implication of the case and investigate along with right lines within the shortest possible time.(2) The Investigating Officer so appointed under sub-rule (1) shall complete the investigation on top priority within thirty days and submit the report to the Superintendent of Police who in turn will immediately forward the report to the Director General of Police of the State Government.(3) The Home Secretary and the Social Welfare Secretary to the State Government, Director of Prosecution, the Officer-in-charge of prosecution and the Director General of Police shall review by the end of every quarter the position of all investigations done by the Investigating Officer."

4. It is submitted that the State Government in term of the rule aforesaid, has not issued notification appointing the Dy. S.P. to investigate the offence punishable under the said Act and as such the very investigation on the basis of which cognizance was taken under the said Act is vitiated in law. In order to appreciate the arguments of Mr. Shukla, Sec. 9 of the Act is to be noticed which reads thus :-

"9. Conferment of Power.- (1) Notwithstanding any thing contained in the Code or in any other provision of this Act, the State Government may, if it considers it necessary or expedient so to do,-(a) for the prevention of and for coping with any offence under this Act, or(b) for any case or class of group of cases under this Act,in any district or part thereof, confer, by notification in the official gazette, on any officer of the State Government the power exercisable by a police officer under the Code in such district or part thereof or, the case may be, for such case or class of group of cases, and in particular, the powers of arrest, investigation and prosecution of persons before any Special Court.(2) All officers of police and all other officers of the Government shall assist the officer referred to in Sub-sec. (1) in the execution of the provision of the Act or anyrule, scheme or order made thereunder.(3) The provisions of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply to t