An Introduction To FIR

If you've been brought up in India, you'd know one term which has been most loosely used is F.I.R. From the shopkeepers in your local market to the big media houses, from tenants to landlords or even brothers disputing a will, the easiest respite is to threaten the other person. Most common one being threat against lodging a F.I.R. So what is it exactly? Where, when and by whom can it be filed? What do I do if an officer refuses to lodge my report? These questions loom large in your mind as a fresh entrant to a Law School or if you're a non- law student and unfortunately have to face a situation involving such threats. F.I.R. (First information Report) as the name suggests is the first information provided regarding commission of a cognizable offence (an offence in which the police may arrest a person without a warrant) by the victim himself or anyone on behalf of the victim., orally or in writing which is then recorded by the officer in charge of a Police Station. Such information can also be given via telephone, letter or an email. If the informant so desires, he can also file an E-FIR on the online portal of the concerned State. The Criminal Procedure Code 1973, however, does not provide any definition for the term. It only lays down the manner in the FIR has to be recorded. The object of registering a F.I.R is nothing but to simply set the investigative machinery rolling. However, it should be kept in mind that the information is authentic and not mere hearsay. How do you file a F.I.R according to the provisions of the Code? The procedure to file a F.I.R is given u/s 154 of the Code which mandates the fulfilment of the following checklist:- The information (if given orally) should be written down by the officer under the directions of the informant and recorded in a diary authorised by the State Government; The written information should be read over to the informant and he must endorse his signatures on the report. (Informant's refusal to sign the F.I.R will attract punishment prescribed u/s 180 IPC) A copy of the F.I.R is to be provided to the informant, free of cost. If the informant is temporarily or permanently disabled, it is the onus of the police officer to record the F.I.R at his residence. If the informant is a woman against whom an offence u/s 326A, 326 B, 354, 354A-D, 376, 376A-E and 509 of Indian Penal Code is alleged then such information shall be recorded by a woman police officer only. (These sections deal with offences like voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, Assault on a woman with intent to disrobe, Sexual Harassment, Voyeurism, Stalking, Rape etc.) Where do you file a F.I.R? Ideally, the information regarding the offence committed should be reported at the Police Station having territorial jurisdiction over the area where it is committed. In case, you're not able to report it at the jurisdictional police station, you may report it at any other police station and the officer in-charge shall record the information in the form of a 'ZERO FIR'. He will record the information, register it with a '0' serial number and immediately transfer it to the concerned jurisdiction for necessary action. Can the Officer refuse to record the F.I.R? No police officer can refuse to record the information on the pretext that the police station doesn't have the requisite jurisdiction. Doing so shall be considered a dereliction in his duty and will attract provisions u/s 166A IPC. What can you do if the Officer refuses to record the F.I.R? Chronology of remedies that are available to the person aggrieved: Section 154(3) Cr.PC allows the informant to write a detailed account of the information to the Superintendent of Police. Subsequent to which if the Superintendent is satisfied that the information suggests commission of a cognizable offence, he shall investigate the matter or himself or direct any subordinate police officer to do so. The informant may approach the Magistrate's Court having jurisdiction and file a complaint u/s 156(3) of the Criminal Code, upon receipt of which the Magistrate exercising his powers u/s 190 Cr.PC shall direct registration of F.I.R followed by a direction of appropriate investigation in the matter. Can the Police proceed with investigation without registering F.I.R? Contrary to the common belief, F.I.R is not the only way to set the investigation into motion. Section 157 Cr.PC lays down that if an officer in-charge of a police station suspects commission of a cognizable offence (which he is empowered to investigate u/s 156 Cr.PC) may after sending a report to the Magistrate, commence an investigation all by himself or direct any subordinate officer to do so. In a situation where a Magistrate invoking his powers u/s 190 coupled with 156 Cr.PC directs the police officer...

An Introduction To FIR

Devika Raj

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