Manipur violence: What is a Zero FIR and why it is registered

Source: The post is based on the article “Manipur violence: What is a Zero FIR and why it is registered”  published in Indian Express on 24th July 2023.

What is the News?

Of the nearly 6,000 cases of arson, violence, dacoity, and other offences registered in Manipur, nearly a third of them have been Zero FIRs.

What are Zero FIRs?

When a police station receives a complaint regarding an alleged offence that has been committed in the jurisdiction of another police station, it registers an FIR and then transfers it to the relevant police station for further investigation. This is called a Zero FIR.

After receiving the Zero FIR, the revenant police station registers a fresh FIR and starts the investigation.

When was the provision of Zero FIR established?

The provision of Zero FIR came up after the recommendation in the report of the Justice Verma Committee, which was constituted to suggest amendments to the Criminal Law in a bid to provide for faster trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women. The committee was set up after the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case.

Why was Zero FIR introduced?

The objective of a Zero FIR is to ensure the victim doesn’t have to run from pillar to post to get a police complaint registered. 

The provision is meant to provide speedy redressal to the victim so that timely action can be taken after the filing of the FIR.

What is FIR( First Information Report)?

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