Appointment of Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer.- (1) The

State Government may, by notification, in the official Gazette, appoint for whole state or such part thereof, as may be specified in that notification, an officer or officers to be known as Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer having jurisdiction over the area or areas specified in the notification.

1. (2) Without prejudice to sub-section (1), the concerned Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Women and Child Development Department or the Project Officer shall be the Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer in their respective jurisdiction.
2. (3) The State Government may also request a respectable member of the locality with a record of social service or an officer of the Gram Panchayath or Municipality or an officer of the Government or any public sector undertaking or an office bearer of any non-governmental organisation to assist the Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer and such member, officer or office bearer, as the case may be, shall be bound to act accordingly.
3. (4) It shall be the duty of the Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer,-
   • (a) to prevent dedication by making an application under sub-section (1) of section 3A and by taking such actions as he may deem fit;
   • (b) to collect evidences for the effective prosecution of persons contravening the provisions of the Act;
   • (c) to advise either individual cases or counsel the residents of the locality generally not to indulge in promoting, helping, aiding or allowing the dedication of devadasi;
   • (d) to create awareness of the evil which results from dedication;
   • (e) to sensitize the community on the issue of dedication;
   • (f) to take action to write the Panchanama report at the place of incident itself and obtain the signatures of witnesses;
   • (g) to furnish such periodical returns and statistics as the State Government may direct; and
   • (h) to discharge such other functions and duties as may be assigned to him by the State Government.
4. (5) The State Government may, by notification, in the Official Gazette, subject to such conditions and limitations, invest with the Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer with such powers of a police officer as may be specified in the notification and the Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer shall exercise such powers subject to such conditions and limitations, as may be specified therein.
5. (6) The Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer shall have the power to move the court for an order under section 3B for rehabilitation of rescued woman.
6. (7) The Devadasi Dedication Prohibition Officer shall report the same to the Secretary to Government, Women and Child Development Department, the Managing Director, the Karnataka State Women's Development Corporation and the Deputy Commissioner of respective Districts whenever the incident of dedication occurs or likely to occur in his jurisdiction.