EDTEAM: First Information Report (FIR) refers to the initial description given by a victim or any other individual on their behalf to the officer in charge of a police station regarding a cognizable offence. Section 173 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) (earlier Section 154 CrPC) deals with the First Information Report.
Filing an FIR is the first and crucial step for initiating police investigation in cases of cognizable offences. However, it is important to note that the term FIR has not been defined anywhere in criminal law. It has only been mentioned in Section 230 of BNSS as “First Information Report.”
With the advent of new criminal laws in India, various new provisions have been introduced, and older ones have been amended. The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, has introduced Zero FIR, E-FIR, and the concept of Preliminary Enquiry. This article will discuss these in detail.
An First Information Report (FIR) is one of the most important legal documents in India’s criminal justice system. It serves as the first official record of information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence and marks the beginning of a police investigation.
Despite its significance, many people are unaware of their legal rights regarding the registration of an FIR. This guide explains everything you need to know in simple language.
In this article, you will learn:
- What an FIR is
- Who can file an FIR
- How to register an FIR
- What to do if the police refuse to register it
- What a Zero FIR is
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is an FIR?
An FIR (First Information Report) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
Once an FIR is registered, the police are legally empowered to begin an investigation into the alleged offence.
Here is a simple English example of an FIR scenario:
Example of an FIR (First Information Report)
On 10 July 2026, at around 8:00 PM, Mr. Rahul Sharma went to the local police station and reported that while he was returning home from work, an unknown person snatched his mobile phone near the City Bus Stand. He immediately informed the police and provided details of the incident.
Based on his complaint, the police registered an FIR because mobile phone snatching is a cognizable offence. After registering the FIR, the police started an investigation, collected CCTV footage from the area, recorded witness statements, and began searching for the accused.
Key Point:
Once an FIR is registered, the police have the legal authority to investigate the case without requiring prior permission from a court.
What Is a Cognizable Offence?
A cognizable offence is a serious criminal offence where the police have the authority to register a case, investigate, and make arrests without prior permission from a court.
Examples include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Kidnapping
- Robbery
- Dowry Death
- Acid Attack
- Serious Assault
- Here is a simple English example:
- Example of a Cognizable Offence
- One evening, Anita was walking home when two armed men stopped her, threatened her with a knife, and stole her handbag and mobile phone. She immediately reported the incident to the nearest police station.
- Since robbery is a cognizable offence, the police registered an FIR, started an investigation without obtaining prior permission from a court, collected evidence from the crime scene, reviewed CCTV footage, questioned witnesses, and began searching for the suspects. The police also had the authority to arrest the accused without a warrant if sufficient evidence was found.
- Key Point:
In a cognizable offence, the police can register a case, investigate, and make arrests without prior permission from a court.
Types of FIR Under the New Criminal Laws
- Regular FIR
A standard FIR registered when a police station receives a complaint of a crime within its jurisdiction.
- Zero FIR
A new provision that allows an individual to file an FIR at any police station, irrespective of jurisdiction. It is later transferred to the concerned police station.
- E-FIR
An electronic FIR, which allows a victim to file an FIR online through the internet.
- Non-Cognizable Report (NCR)
Filed in cases of non-serious offences, where police require permission to investigate.
- Counter FIR
An FIR filed by the accused party against the complainant for the same offence.
- Cross FIR
An FIR filed by another party regarding the same offence but with a different version of events.
- False FIR
An FIR filed with malicious intent to mislead law enforcement or harass an individual.
Who Can File an FIR?
An FIR can be filed by:
- The victim
- A family member of the victim
- An eyewitness
- Any person who has knowledge of the offence
The person filing the FIR does not necessarily have to be the victim.
Example: Who Can File an FIR?
Rohan was walking through a market when he saw a man being attacked and robbed by two strangers. The victim was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, so he was unable to go to the police station immediately.
Although Rohan was not the victim, he went to the nearest police station and informed the police about the incident. Based on the information he provided, the police registered an FIR and began their investigation.
Key Point:
An FIR can be filed not only by the victim but also by a family member, an eyewitness, or any person who has knowledge of the offence.
How to File an FIR
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the Nearest Police Station
Report the incident at the police station having jurisdiction over the area where the offence occurred.
Step 2: Provide Complete Information
Clearly explain:
- Date and time of the incident
- Location
- Details of the offence
- Names of accused persons (if known)
- Witnesses (if any)
Step 3: Police Records the FIR
The police officer will prepare the FIR based on the information provided.
Step 4: Read Before Signing
Carefully read the FIR and ensure all details are correctly recorded before signing it.
Step 5: Obtain a Free Copy
You are legally entitled to receive a free copy of the FIR immediately after it is registered.
Example: How to File an FIR
Scenario:
On 15 July 2026, at around 7:30 PM, Priya’s motorcycle was stolen from outside a shopping mall.
Step 1: Visit the Nearest Police Station
Priya went to the police station that had jurisdiction over the area where the motorcycle was stolen.
Step 2: Provide Complete Information
She gave the police the following details:
- Date and Time: 15 July 2026, around 7:30 PM
- Location: Parking area of City Mall
- Details of the Offence: Her motorcycle was stolen while she was shopping.
- Accused: Unknown
- Witnesses: A security guard who saw a suspicious person near the parking area.
Step 3: Police Records the FIR
The police officer recorded Priya’s statement and prepared the FIR based on the information she provided.
Step 4: Read Before Signing
Priya carefully read the FIR to ensure that all the details were accurate. After confirming everything was correct, she signed the document.
Step 5: Obtain a Free Copy
The police registered the FIR and immediately provided Priya with a free copy of the FIR for her records.
Key Point:
By following these steps, Priya successfully filed an FIR, allowing the police to begin investigating the theft of her motorcycle.
What If the Police Refuse to Register an FIR?
If the police refuse to register your complaint, you have several legal remedies.
You may:
- Submit a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP).
- Send your complaint through Registered Post or Speed Post.
- Approach the jurisdictional Magistrate, who may direct the police to register the FIR in accordance with law.
Example: What If the Police Refuse to Register an FIR?
Scenario:
Aman was assaulted by a group of people while returning home. He went to the nearest police station to report the incident and requested that an FIR be registered. However, the police officer refused to register his complaint.
Instead of giving up, Aman took the following legal steps:
- He prepared a written complaint describing the incident and submitted it to the Superintendent of Police (SP).
- He also sent a copy of the complaint through Registered Post to ensure there was proof of delivery.
- When no action was taken, Aman approached the jurisdictional Magistrate and requested directions to the police.
- After reviewing the complaint, the Magistrate directed the police to register the FIR and investigate the case in accordance with the law.
Key Point:
If the police refuse to register an FIR, you can submit a complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP), send it by Registered or Speed Post, or approach the jurisdictional Magistrate, who can direct the police to register the FIR.
What Is a Zero FIR?
A Zero FIR allows a complaint to be registered at any police station, regardless of where the offence occurred.
The FIR is later transferred to the police station having territorial jurisdiction.
Zero FIR is especially useful in emergencies and serious criminal cases.
Example: What Is a Zero FIR?
Scenario:
Neha, who lives in Delhi, was travelling to Jaipur by bus. During the journey, she was robbed by an unknown person near Jaipur. After reaching Delhi, she immediately went to the nearest police station to report the incident.
Although the offence had occurred in Jaipur, the Delhi police registered a Zero FIR without refusing her complaint. The FIR was given a Zero FIR number and, after registration, it was transferred to the police station in Jaipur that had territorial jurisdiction over the place where the robbery occurred.
Key Point:
A Zero FIR allows a person to report a cognizable offence at any police station, regardless of where the offence took place. The case is then transferred to the appropriate police station for investigation.
Can an FIR Be Filed Online?
Many State Police Departments in India provide online complaint or e-FIR facilities for specific categories of offences.
The general process includes:
- Visit the official State Police website.
- Register or log in.
- Fill in the complaint details.
- Upload supporting documents if required.
- Submit the complaint and receive a reference number.
Example: Can an FIR Be Filed Online?
Scenario:
Arjun discovered that his mobile phone had been stolen while travelling on a city bus. Instead of visiting a police station immediately, he used the online complaint facility provided by his State Police Department.
He followed these steps:
- Visited the official State Police website.
- Registered an account and logged in.
- Filled in the details of the incident, including the date, time, location, and description of the stolen phone.
- Uploaded a copy of his identity proof and the mobile phone purchase invoice.
- Submitted the complaint and received a reference number to track its status.
The police reviewed his complaint and, where applicable under the State Police Department’s online system, processed it further and informed Arjun about the next steps.
Key Point:
Many State Police Departments in India allow citizens to submit complaints or e-FIRs online for certain categories of offences. After submitting the complaint, the applicant receives a reference number for future tracking.
What Happens After an FIR Is Registered?
After registration, the police may:
- Begin an investigation
- Collect evidence
- Record witness statements
- Arrest the accused (where legally permissible)
- File a charge sheet before the competent court
Example: What Happens After an FIR Is Registered?
Scenario:
Rahul reported that his house was broken into and valuable items were stolen. Based on his complaint, the police registered an FIR for theft and started the legal process.
After registration of the FIR, the police took the following steps:
- Started an investigation: Police officers visited the place of occurrence and examined the scene.
- Collected evidence: They collected CCTV footage, fingerprints, and other available evidence related to the theft.
- Recorded witness statements: The police questioned neighbours and other witnesses who may have information about the incident.
- Arrested the accused (if legally permitted): After collecting sufficient evidence, the police arrested the suspected person according to the law.
- Filed a charge sheet: After completing the investigation, the police submitted a charge sheet before the competent court for further legal proceedings.
Key Point:
Registration of an FIR is the first step in the criminal investigation process. After that, the police investigate the matter, collect evidence, and take further legal action as required by law.
Can an FIR Be Withdrawn?
Not every FIR can be withdrawn.
Whether a case can be settled or withdrawn depends on the nature of the offence and the applicable provisions of law.
Serious offences generally cannot be withdrawn by private compromise.
Example: Can an FIR Be Withdrawn?
Scenario:
Ravi filed an FIR against his neighbour, Mohan, after a serious physical assault. Later, Ravi and Mohan reached a personal settlement and Ravi wanted to withdraw the FIR.
However, since the offence involved a serious criminal act, Ravi could not simply withdraw the FIR on his own. The matter would continue according to the law, and any decision regarding the case would depend on the applicable legal provisions and the court’s process.
In another situation, if a person files an FIR for a minor offence that is legally compoundable, the parties may be allowed to settle the matter according to the law, and the case may be closed through the proper legal procedure.
Key Point:
An FIR cannot always be withdrawn by the complainant. The possibility of settlement or closure depends on the type of offence and the provisions of law applicable to that case.
Important Tips Before Filing an FIR
- Provide truthful and accurate information.
- Avoid filing false complaints, as they may attract legal consequences.
- Keep the FIR number safely for future reference.
- Preserve your copy of the FIR.
- If the police refuse registration, use the legal remedies available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What does FIR stand for?
FIR stands for First Information Report.
- Is filing an FIR free of cost?
Yes. Registration of an FIR and obtaining its copy is free.
- Can anyone file an FIR?
Yes. Any person having knowledge of a cognizable offence may report it to the police.
- What is the purpose of a Zero FIR?
A Zero FIR enables immediate registration of a serious complaint at any police station without waiting for jurisdictional verification.
- What should I do if the police refuse to register my FIR?
You may approach the Superintendent of Police or file an appropriate application before the jurisdictional Magistrate.
Conclusion
The introduction of Zero FIR and E-FIR under India’s new criminal laws marks a significant step toward making the criminal justice system more accessible, efficient, and citizen-friendly. Zero FIR ensures that no cognizable offence goes unreported merely because of territorial jurisdiction, allowing victims to seek immediate legal assistance from any police station. E-FIR further modernizes the process by enabling eligible complaints to be registered electronically, making the system faster, more convenient, and less burdensome for citizens.
Together, these reforms strengthen access to justice, promote timely police action, and enhance public confidence in the legal system. As responsible citizens, it is important to understand these legal provisions, exercise our rights whenever necessary, and spread awareness within our communities. An informed society plays a vital role in ensuring effective law enforcement and contributing to a safer, more just, and law-abiding nation.
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