F.I.R. stands for First Information Report. Every police station has its own area of control. So, a cognizable offense that occurred in that area will be registered in the respective police station having jurisdiction over that area. And the first report containing the first information received about such cognizable offence is called F.I.R.
The cognizable offense is an offense that is of serious nature where punishment is imprisonment for more than 3 years. Offenses such as rape, murder, and dowry death are examples of cognizable offenses. An F.I.R. can only be registered in case of a cognizable offense.
What is Zero F.I.R.? Is its existence supported by law?
- Zero F.I.R. is the filing of a first information report at a police station other than the police station within area of jurisdiction. In Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) there is no direct information related to zero F.I.R. Justice Verma Committee in the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013 introduced this concept after the 2012 Delhi rape case, for the purpose of making it easy for victims to file complaints anywhere in the country. You can register an F.I.R. at any police station. Later, the police officer will transferred the F.I.R. to the police station with jurisdiction over that case.
- Supreme court in the case of Lalita Kumari vs Government of U.P. and others ruled under section 154 of the CrPC, that it is mandatory to register an F.I.R if the offense is cognizable. After registering the F.I.R. other doubts such as falsified information or credibility of information may be investigated. Therefore, it is compulsory for a police officer to register an FIR in case of a cognizable crime.
How To File a Zero F.I.R
You can file Zero F.I.R as you file a normal F.I.R. You can file it by complying with the provisions of Section 154 of the Code.
- Information should be in written format.
- If it is in writing, it shall be signed by the Informant.
- Information should be verified by reading over to the Informant.
- Station house diary or ‘case diary’ will have the information noted as prescribed by the State government.
- The informant is get a copy of written information free of cost.
Rules to file an FIR
- Anyone can file an FIR who knows about the commission of the cognizable offense.
- Police must write it down the information when given orally about the commission of the cognizable offense.
- The victim or the person filing the complaint can demand form police to read the information recorded.
- The victim should sign the recorded information. If the person cannot write, he or she can put the left thumb impression on the document.
- After filing the FIR, you should take a copy of the FIR. It is your right to ask for a copy of the FIR free of cost if the police do not provide it to you.
Contents of a zero F.I.R
Contents of a zero F.I.R. is the same as F.I.R. A F.I.R. page contains the following information.
- FIR number
- Victim’s name or the name of the person who reports the complaint
- Name and description of the offender (if known)
- Description of the offense
- Place and time of the offense
- Witnesses, if any.
Conclusion
Before, police officers used to refuse to register an F.I.R. out of their jurisdiction. But, after the introduction of zero F.I.R., police cannot deny filing F.I.R. It will make sure that any victim of the cognizable offense will not be refused due to the reason of lack of jurisdiction and the path of justice is not blocked at the starting point. Therefore, you can register F.I.R. irrespective of the area of jurisdiction.
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