Police & notices › Caste abuse or atrocity
Police not registering an atrocity case
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Your situation
- Have you gone to the police? They refused
Where you stand
- In your favour No preliminary inquiry is needed — the FIR must be registered on your complaint.
- In your favour Victims are entitled to monetary relief at stages of the case, paid by the state.
Do these now
- Written complaint to the SP or District Magistrate, and the State/National Commission
For refusal or wrong sections. Where: SP office; ncsc.nic.in / ncst.nic.in
Papers to gather
- Caste certificate
Basis for the Act to apply. Where: Tehsildar / e-district portal. - Names and numbers of people who saw or heard it
Independent witnesses are crucial. - Videos, audio or messages with the words used
Proves exact words and intent. Where: Phones of those present. - FIR copy showing the Atrocities Act sections
Relief and special protections depend on it. Where: Police station.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Medical certificate (MLC) and hospital records — Needed for violence offences and relief.
- Land records and documents of the property taken — Wrongful occupation of SC/ST land is an offence.
What the law says
The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 makes caste-based insults in public view, social or economic boycott, land grabbing, violence and other acts specific offences. Under Section 18A, no preliminary inquiry is needed before registering an FIR and anticipatory bail is generally barred. Investigation is by an officer of at least DSP rank, cases are tried in Special Courts, victims have a right to be heard and to protection (Section 15A), and the rules give monetary relief at set stages. An accused can face this law only if they are not themselves SC/ST.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- What happened?
- Do you have a caste certificate?
Similar situations
- Insulted by caste name in public
- Attacked because of caste
- Land taken by force from a Dalit or Adivasi family
- Social boycott of my family
Sources
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- NALSA — free legal aid
The full guide: Caste abuse, discrimination or attack (SC/ST Atrocities Act) · All situations