A First Information Report (FIR) is the first step in the criminal justice process in India. It is a document prepared by police upon receiving information about the commission of a cognizable offence. Understanding this process is important for every citizen.
Under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, any person can give information relating to a cognizable offence to a police officer. The police officer is then obligated to reduce this information into writing and have it signed by the informant.
Key points about FIR registration include: the police cannot refuse to register an FIR for a cognizable offence; an FIR can be filed at any police station regardless of jurisdiction under Section 154(1); the informant is entitled to receive a free copy of the FIR.
If the police refuse to register an FIR, the informant can approach the Superintendent of Police under Section 154(3) or file a complaint before the Magistrate under Section 156(3) of CrPC.