zero FIR

A police station cannot refuse to record information about a cognizable offence on the ground that the offence happened outside its area. It must register the FIR with a “zero” number and transfer it to the police station having jurisdiction, which then registers it in its own books and investigates. The practice began after the Justice Verma Committee report (2013) and was recognised by the courts; s.173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (old s.154 CrPC) now provides expressly that information may be given “irrespective of the area where the offence is committed”, including electronically (e-FIR).

The aim is to avoid delay, which can destroy evidence, especially in offences against women. In Lalita Kumari the Supreme Court held that registration of an FIR is mandatory when information discloses a cognizable offence. A zero FIR does not mean the first police station investigates.

Example

The victim reported the assault at the Bengaluru station though it happened in Mysuru, and the police registered a zero FIR and transferred it.

In Indian law

• Section 173(1), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (old s.154 CrPC)
• Lalita Kumari v. Government of U.P., 2013 INSC 748: registration of FIR mandatory for cognizable offence

See also

first information report · cognizable offence · investigation

Read more in the study notes

• Initiation of a criminal case: FIR, Zero FIR, preliminary enquiry, investigation and complaint (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• Criminal procedure: meaning, background and salient features of the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• Cyber crimes under the BNS and BNSS (Cyber Law)
• Cyber law: quick revision and practice (Cyber Law)
• Criminal complaints: information to the police and private complaints under the BNSS (Drafting, Pleading and Conveyance)
• Lay-off, retrenchment and closure (Labour and Industrial Law I)