Caste-based discrimination, insults, social boycotts, physical violence, and land dispossession targeting Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) are grave criminal offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. National Helpline: 14566.
Offences under Section 3 of the PoA Act are non-bailable. DSP-level investigation and mandatory state victim financial relief are required under Annexure I of PoA Rules.
Under Section 18 of the PoA Act, anticipatory bail under Section 438 CrPC is generally barred where a prima facie offence under the Act is made out.