When something serious happens — a theft, an assault, a fraud, a missing person — the First Information Report is the document that starts the entire criminal justice machine. For decades, getting one registered meant physically reaching the "right" police station and hoping the officer agreed to write it down. India's new criminal code changed that. Since 1 July 2024, the FIR lives in Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which lets you report a cognizable offence by electronic means, at any police station, regardless of where the crime happened.
Here's how an FIR works now, how to file one online, and exactly what to do if the police refuse.
Quick answer: Under Section 173 BNSS, you can report a cognizable offence orally, in writing, or electronically, at any police station irrespective of jurisdiction — this is the Zero FIR. An e-FIR filed electronically must be signed within three days to be formally recorded. You're entitled to a free copy of the FIR, and the victim is too. If the police refuse to register it, you can escalate to the Superintendent of Police under Section 173(4) and then to a Magistrate under Section 175(3).
What is an FIR, and what is a cognizable offence?
A First Information Report is the first recorded information the police receive about the commission of a cognizable offence — one serious enough that the police can investigate and arrest without first getting a court's permission (theft, robbery, assault, rape, murder, serious fraud). For non-cognizable offences (minor matters), the police record information differently and generally need a Magistrate's order to investigate. The FIR sets investigation in motion: evidence is gathered, statements recorded, and eventually a police report is filed before the Magistrate.
Zero FIR: report anywhere
One of the biggest reforms is the statutory backing for the Zero FIR. You can now report a cognizable offence at any police station, even if the crime occurred outside that station's area. The station registers it with serial number "0" and forwards it to the station that actually has jurisdiction, which re-registers it as a regular FIR and investigates. This ends the old runaround where police turned victims away citing "wrong jurisdiction" — a delay that often mattered most in urgent cases.
e-FIR: filing electronically
The BNSS also recognises information given by electronic communication. You can lodge information online, and the key rule is that an electronically filed report must be signed by the informant within three days to be officially taken on record. States are rolling this out through their police citizen portals, so the exact online facility and the categories of offence available vary by state.
How to file an FIR online, step by step
The process runs through your state police's official portal (for example, the citizen services portals run by state police departments):
- Go to your state police's official website and find the "Citizen Services," "Complaint," or "e-FIR / Lodge Complaint" section.
- Register or log in with your mobile number and basic details.
- Select the complaint type and fill in the incident details — what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
- Upload any evidence — photos, documents, screenshots.
- Submit and note the complaint/reference number.
- Sign within three days where the portal or process requires it, so the e-FIR is formally recorded.
For online theft, lost-property, and certain offences, many states accept e-complaints directly. Cybercrime has its own national channel — the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and helpline 1930 — which you should use for online fraud and financial cybercrime.
💡 Save the acknowledgement and reference number the moment you submit. It's your proof that you reported, and your tracking handle for follow-up.
What information to give
Give a clear, factual account: the date, time, and place of the incident; what exactly happened; the identity or description of those involved; any witnesses; and the loss or harm caused. Stick to what you know. You don't need to name an accused if you don't know who it was — "unknown persons" is perfectly valid, and the investigation establishes the rest.
What if the police refuse to register your FIR?
The law is firmly on your side here. If an officer refuses to register an FIR for a cognizable offence:
- Escalate to the Superintendent of Police (SP) under Section 173(4) — in writing, by post if needed. If the SP is satisfied a cognizable offence is disclosed, they must have it investigated.
- Approach the Magistrate under Section 175(3) if that fails, asking the court to direct the police to register and investigate.
A public servant who refuses to record information about a cognizable offence can face penal consequences. And the Supreme Court's ruling in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh settled that FIR registration is mandatory once information discloses a cognizable offence (with only limited room for a preliminary inquiry in certain 3-to-7-year-offence cases).
Your rights when filing
- A free copy of the FIR — given to both the informant and the victim.
- Report from anywhere — Zero FIR removes the jurisdiction barrier.
- Special protection for vulnerable informants — for certain offences against women, information is to be recorded by a woman officer; for persons with disabilities, at their residence or a place of their choice, with support.
- No fixed time limit to file an FIR — though reporting promptly strengthens the case, since unexplained delay can be questioned later.
Worked example
A traveller's phone and wallet are stolen on a train passing through three states. Under the old system, each station might have pointed her elsewhere. Now she walks into the nearest police station, registers a Zero FIR for theft, gets a free copy, and the FIR is forwarded to the jurisdictional station for investigation. She also files an online complaint and notes the reference number for her insurance claim. No jurisdictional runaround, and a documentary trail from day one.
Common mistakes
- Accepting a refusal. You can escalate to the SP and then a Magistrate.
- Not collecting your free copy. It's your right and your record.
- Vague details. Dates, times, and specifics make the investigation workable.
- Using the wrong channel for cybercrime. Online fraud goes through cybercrime.gov.in / 1930.
- Forgetting to sign an e-FIR within three days. It may not be formally recorded otherwise.
Checklist
- Identify whether the offence is cognizable.
- Use your state police portal (or cybercrime.gov.in for online fraud).
- Give clear, factual incident details and upload evidence.
- Note the reference number and sign within three days if required.
- Collect your free copy of the FIR.
- If refused, escalate to the SP, then the Magistrate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file an FIR online in India? Yes. Under Section 173 BNSS you can report electronically, and states offer e-FIR/e-complaint facilities through their police portals; cybercrime has a dedicated national portal.
What is a Zero FIR? An FIR you can register at any police station regardless of where the crime occurred; it's then transferred to the station with jurisdiction.
Is there a time limit to file an FIR? No fixed limit, but filing promptly is advisable, as long delays may be questioned during the case.
What can I do if the police refuse to register my FIR? Escalate to the Superintendent of Police under Section 173(4), and if needed approach a Magistrate under Section 175(3).
Do I get a copy of the FIR? Yes, free of cost — to both the informant and the victim.
This article is for legal awareness and education only and is not legal advice. Online FIR facilities and procedures vary by state; for serious offences, contact the police directly and consult a qualified advocate.