Revenue Police System

Context: The demand to replace the ‘Revenue Police’ system in Uttarakhand has once again gained ground in the wake of the murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari.

About the Revenue Police system:

• The system of revenue police was brought by the British over a century ago when crime in the hilly areas was low.
• The motive was to save money and resources by not deploying regular police.
• Under the unique revenue police system, civil officials of the revenue department have the powers and functions of the regular police.
• Whenever a crime takes place, the revenue police of the area files an FIR, investigates the case, arrests the accused and also files a chargesheet in the local court.
• In case of heinous crimes like murder, rape, or crimes against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the case is transferred to the regular police.

Scenario in Other states:

• In other states, the core function of revenue officials is to maintain land, cultivation and revenue records of villages, and collect revenues on behalf of the government.
• The revenue officials like patwari and kanungo compile data on crop production, perform election-related duties, and collect census and literacy data.
• They are also given the duty of implementing government schemes and preparing birth, death, and caste certificates.

Source:Indian Express

Previous Year Question

Q.1) With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail.
2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?      (2021)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) With reference to India, consider the following statements:

1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right.
2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?       (2021)

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2