Revenue Police System

In News 

• 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:IE