First Information Report (FIR) is a document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence, such as murder, rape, robbery or other serious crimes that require immediate police action[1][2][3][4][5].
Anyone who knows about the commission of a cognizable offence—whether the victim or any other person—can file an FIR either orally, in writing, or even via telephone. When given orally, the police must write down the information, read it back to the informant, and obtain their signature[1][2][3]. The police officer receiving the complaint should provide a free copy of the FIR to the person lodging the report[2].
The process of filing an FIR is governed by Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973. The FIR is the first step in launching a police investigation. Once registered, the police begin their inquiry into the alleged offence[1][2][3][4].
- Cognizable offences allow police to arrest without a warrant and start investigation independently, without needing court orders[1][2][3].
- Non-cognizable offences do not permit police to arrest without warrant; police cannot investigate these cases without the court’s order, and the matter is generally entered in a station diary or register[1][5].
Types of FIRs:
- Standard FIR: Lodged at the police station with jurisdiction over the place of offence[2][4].
- Zero FIR: Registered at any police station, regardless of where the offence occurred, and then transferred to the appropriate station for investigation. Zero FIR enables registration of serious offences without delay[4].
- E-FIR: Electronic FIR, available for online registration of certain offences in many states, aimed at increasing accessibility and protecting identity, especially of vulnerable victims[4].
If the police refuse to lodge an FIR, the complainant can approach higher police authorities or apply to the Magistrate concerned, as per Section 156(3) of the CrPC[4].
Information in the FIR includes details of the offence, the accused, witnesses (if any), and circumstances of the incident. It is crucial for the FIR to be registered promptly, as delays can affect the prosecution’s case. However, courts recognize that delays may occur for legitimate reasons, especially in sensitive cases[4].
Filing a false FIR or intentionally providing misleading information is punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), such as Sections 182, 203, and 177[4].
References
- [1] FIR? First Information Report – Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- [2] F.I.R. / N.C. / COMPLAINT / COGNIZANCE – Kishanganj
- [3] What is First Information Report (FIR)? | CID, Crime Branch
- [4] Everything You Need To Know About FIR – Detailed Explanations (Lloyd Law College)
- [5] First information report – Wikipedia
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