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Who can file an FIR

Last updated on Jun 22, 2022

You can file an FIR if you are:

  • A victim of a crime.
  • A relative or friend or acquaintance of the victim.
  • You have knowledge about a crime that has taken place or is about to take place.

 

It is not necessary that you must have all information about the crime in order to file an FIR. But it is important that you report everything you know to the police.

 

An FIR in itself is not a criminal case filed against someone. It is just information received by the police relating to the commission of a crime. A criminal case begins when the chargesheet is filed by the police before the Court and a Public Prosecutor is appointed by the State. 

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How to file an FIR

If a crime has taken place you can go to the nearest police station which does not necessarily have to be in the area where the crime has been committed.

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Where can an FIR be filed

An FIR can be filed at any police station. The fact that the crime may not have been committed in that police stations jurisdiction has no consequence to the filing of the complaint.

Chargesheet

Once you have reported the crime by filing an FIR, the officer in charge must send the report to a Magistrate, who will take note of the case without any unnecessary delay, and proceed with the investigation. This is a mandatory step that the police have to follow, as it allows the Magistrate to take control of the investigation, and if necessary give appropriate directions to the police.

Where to complain when Police Officer refuses to take your FIR

If a Police Officer does not accept your complaint then you can write down your complaint and send it to the Superintendent of Police.