How to File an FIR?

The process of filing FIR or First Information Report is provided under section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973. The FIR is the primary information given to a police officer regarding the commission of a crime by the first informant. To file an FIR, the informant has to approach the police station in the jurisdiction of which the offence or crime has taken place.

Procedure on How to File an FIR

At the concerned police station, the first informant follows this procedure to file an FIR, which helps launch criminal proceedings:

• Provide detailed information about the crime to the officer in-charge at the police station.
• The officer-in-charge records the information in writing (if the information is given orally) and reads it to the informant for verification and confirmation.
• The informant, after verifying the details, signs on the document, following which the officer records this information in the book prescribed by the state governments. Those are unable to read or write can put their left thumb impression after verifying the correctness of the recorded information.
• The informant then collects a copy of the FIR from the officer totally free of cost.
• In case the officer-in-charge refuses to file a complaint, the informant can post the details to the concerned Superintendent of Police, who in turn begins the investigation himself or authorizes a junior officer to conduct the investigations.

File an FIR: Essential Things to Mention

Here are the things that must be mentioned while filing an FIR:

• The informant’s name and address.
• Name and details of the people involved in the incident.
• Time, date and exact location of the incident.
• Precise facts and details of the incident as it occurred.
• Witnesses, if any.