FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence (i.e., an offence for which the police can arrest without a warrant).
In India, the procedure for filing an FIR is governed by Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Any person can file an FIR with the police if they have information about the commission of a cognizable offence. The FIR must be filed in writing and signed by the person giving the information.
The FIR must contain the following details:
- Information about the offence that has been committed
- The date, time, and place of the offence
- Details about the accused, if known
- Details about the informant (the person who is filing the FIR)
Once the FIR has been filed, the police are required to investigate the offence and take appropriate action. The police may arrest the accused if they have reason to believe that the accused has committed the offence. The police may also conduct searches and seize any evidence that may be relevant to the investigation.
Filing a false FIR is a punishable offence under Section 182 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Therefore, it is essential to provide accurate and truthful information when filing an FIR.
The concept of a zero FIR is relatively new and was introduced on the recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya gang rape case in 2012 to put a legal obligation on police to take quick action and prevent them from using the excuse of the absence of jurisdiction
Whereas FIRs have serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number ‘0’. Hence the name.
After a police station registers a zero FIR, it has to transfer the complaint to a police station that has the jurisdiction to investigate the alleged offence. Once a zero FIR is transferred, the police station with the appropriate jurisdiction assigns it a serial number, thereby converting it into a regular FIR.
In summary, an FIR is a crucial document in the Indian criminal justice system as it initiates the process of investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. It enables the police to take prompt action and ensures that the accused is brought to justice.
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