Q. With reference to the First Information Report (FIR), consider the following statements:
1. The term ‘First Information Report’ is defined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
2. A police station can register a ‘Zero FIR’ even if the offence was committed outside its jurisdiction.
3. Only a person, who is either the victim of offence or an eyewitness to the offence, can file the FIR.
How many of the above given statements are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
First Information Report (FIR) usually mentions the date, time and place of the offence, details the basic facts of the offence, including a description of the events. The complainant also has a legal right to get a free copy of the FIR from the police.
Statements 1 is incorrect: The term First Information Report (FIR) is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law. FIR is the information given to a police officer as per the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Statement 2 is correct. A zero FIR can be filed in any police station, regardless of whether the offence was committed under the jurisdiction of that particular police station. So, A police station can register a ‘Zero FIR’ even if the offence was committed outside its jurisdiction
Statement 3 is incorrect. Anyone can file an FIR — the person approaching the police does not necessarily have to be the victim of or an eyewitness to an offence.
| Important Tips What is the difference between a complaint and an FIR? The CrPC defines a “complaint” as “any allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under this Code, that some person has committed an offence, but does not include a police report.” However, an FIR is the document that has been prepared by the police after verifying the facts of the complaint. The FIR may contain details of the crime and the alleged criminal. |
