State Of A.P vs Viswanadula Chetti Babu

The Supreme Court held that Rule 7 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995 mandates that only a police officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police can investigate offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Court found that an investigation conducted by an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police was impermissible, thereby endorsing the High Court's judgment. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed.