In the event of a land dispute complaint registered at a police station, which of the following is the standard preliminary procedural step?

Correct Option

The correct option is

Deployment of a constable to the site for investigation.

Explanation

In the context of rural administration, the maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the Police, while the maintenance of land records and revenue collection is the responsibility of the Revenue Department (Patwari/Tehsildar). When a land dispute escalates into a potential law and order issue, specific police procedures are followed.

Statement-wise Analysis:

• Immediate arrest of the accused without investigation. is Incorrect. Immediate arrest is not the standard procedure for a land dispute unless a cognizable offense (such as severe assault) has occurred. Land disputes are primarily civil in nature, and police action focuses on preventing violence rather than immediate incarceration without inquiry.
• Transfer of the case to the Sarpanch for informal arbitration. is Incorrect. While informal dispute resolution may happen at the village level, the standard police procedure upon receiving a formal complaint is not to transfer the case to the Sarpanch. The Sarpanch is an elected representative, not an investigating officer for the police.
• Deployment of a constable to the site for investigation. is Correct. Upon receiving a complaint regarding a land dispute that may threaten peace, the Station House Officer (S.H.O.) typically deputes a constable to visit the site. The constable’s role is to investigate the facts, prevent physical altercations, and assess the situation.
• Requirement for the complainant to hire a private surveyor. is Incorrect. If land measurement is required to resolve a boundary dispute, it is the duty of the Patwari (also known as Lekhpal or Kanungo), who is a government revenue official. The complainant is not required to hire a private surveyor for official police or revenue purposes.

Key Takeaway:
In rural disputes, the Police handle law and order (investigation, preventing violence), while the Patwari (Revenue Department) handles land measurements and records. The Panchayat (Sarpanch) functions as a local governance body, not as a formal arm of the police investigation.