First Information Report (FIR)

First Information Report (FIR)

Subject – Governance

Context – India’s central and state governments have long misused a variety of laws to cow opponents and silence critics.

Concept –

• First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
• It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing to the police. Even a telephonic message can be treated as an FIR.

Why is FIR important?

An FIR is a very important document as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion. It is only after the FIR is registered in the police station that the police takes up investigation of the case.

Who can lodge an FIR?

• Anyone who knows about the commission of a cognizable offence can file an FIR.
• It is not necessary that only the victim of the crime should file an FIR.
• A police officer who comes to know about a cognizable offence can file an FIR himself/herself.

What is the procedure of filing an FIR?

The procedure of filing an FIR is prescribed in Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

• When information about the commission of a cognizable offence is given orally, the police must write it down.
• It is your right as a person giving information or making a complaint to demand that the information recorded by the police is read over to you.
• Once the information has been recorded by the police, it must be signed by the person giving the information.
• You should sign the report only after verifying that the information recorded by the police is as per the details given by you.
• People who cannot read or write must put their left thumb impression on the document after being satisfied that it is a correct record.
• Always ask for a copy of the FIR, if the police do not give it to you. It is your right to get it free of cost.

What should you mention in the FIR?

• Your name and address;
• Date, time and location of the incident you are reporting;
• The true facts of the incident as they occurred;
• Names and descriptions of the persons involved in the incident;
• Witnesses, if any.

What can you do if your FIR is not registered?

• You can meet the Superintendent of Police or other higher officers like Deputy Inspector General ofPolice & Inspector General of Police and bring your complaint to their notice.
• You can send your complaint in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied with your complaint, he shall either investigate the case himself or order an investigation to be made.
• You can file a private complaint before the court having jurisdiction.
• You can also make a complaint to the State Human Rights Commission or the National Human Rights Commission if the police does nothing to enforce the law or does it in a biased and corrupt manner.