File a First Information Report

What is a First Information Report?

The first piece of information given to the police about an offence sets the criminal law in motion. This means a police officer can take up investigation once this first information is put in writing. Any information or complaint relating to commission of a cognizable offence (an offence for which the police may arrest a suspect without a warrant) given to an officer in charge of a police station becomes an FIR. Such information can be oral or written. Oral information should be written down by the officer and what is written should be read over to the complainant. If a complaint discloses a ‘non-cognizable offence’ (an offence for which the police cannot arrest a suspect without a warrant), the police record it in a Community Service Register. The complainant will receive a CSR receipt.

What is the General Diary?

It is a record of all the activities and incidents that take place in a police station daily. The GD entry by the police may be treated as an FIR in an appropriate case, if it discloses the commission of a cognizable offence.

Will phone info shared by witnesses become FIR?

Telephone information given by a witness, even without the names of suspects, can become an FIR if it discloses a cognizable offence.

Who can lodge a police complaint?

Anyone aggrieved by a crime may approach the nearest police station and give a written complaint or verbally report it to a police officer, who will document it. Even anonymous letters reporting a cognizable offence may be treated as FIRs. It is not necessary that the informant should have personal knowledge of the incident.

What the law says?

Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the new code of criminal procedure, says every piece of information on a cognizable offence, irrespective of the area where the offence is committed, may be given orally or by electronic communication to an officer in charge of a police station. If the information is made orally, it shall be put in writing by the officer concerned and be read over to the informant. Every such information should be signed by the person giving it. If it is by electronic communication, it should be taken on record by the police officer on being signed within three days by the person giving it, and its substance should be entered in a book to be kept by such an officer. The new law allows E-FIR and Zero FIR.

What if the police refuse to file an FIR?

According to Section 173(4) of the BNSS, “any person aggrieved by refusal on the part of an officer in charge of a police station to record the information may send the substance of such information in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned.

Can a complaint be filed online?

Many States allow filing of FIRs on their police websites. Tamil Nadu Police-Citizen Portal gives the option.

What is Zero FIR?

If you are unsure of the place where the crime occurred, you can file a Zero FIR at any station, which will be sent to the appropriate police station. Zero FIR ensures swift access to legal recourse and preservation of evidence.

Are multiple FIRs allowed?

No. Any subsequent FIR in respect of the same or connected cognizable offence, occurrence, or incident, as alleged in the first FIR, is not permissible unless it is in the form of counter-claim/case, because such subsequent FIR(s) would constitute abuse of statutory power of investigation.

Can we view/download FIR/CSR?

Anyone can view or download an FIR or Community Service Register (CSR) through Tamil Nadu Police Citizen Portal by using the mobile phone and receiving a password. However, there is a restriction on uploading FIRs in certain types of cases such as communally sensitive cases or sexual offences.

What are the documents required to file an FIR online?

A complainant may attach files. Max. 500KB (PDF,PNG,JPEG) files allowed.