First Information Report

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A First Information Report or FIR is a written document prepared by the police in India, Pakistan and Japan when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing to the police.

A telephone call can also be treated as the basis for an FIR.

Contents 1 Importance 2 References 3 Further reading 4 External links

[edit] Importance

An FIR is a very important document as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion. It is only after the FIR is registered in the police station that the police takes up investigation of the case.

Anyone who knows about the commission of a cognizable offence can file an FIR. It is not necessary that only the victim of the crime should file an FIR. A police officer who comes to know about a cognizable offence can file an FIR himself/herself.

As described in law,

• When information about the commission of a cognizable offence is given orally, the police must write it down.
• The person giving information or making a complaint has a right to demand that the information recorded by the police be read to him/her.
• Once the information has been recorded by the police, it must be signed by the person giving the information.

[edit] References

• Complete information about what an FIR is, who can file it, rights of people, etc. (PDF format)

[edit] Further reading

• "First Information Report". Criminal Justice and Supreme court. Allied Publishers. 2005. pp. 5–19. ISBN 8177649043. 
• R. Deb (2002). "Police Investigations: A Review". in P. J. Alexander. Policing India in the New Millennium. Allied Publishers. pp. 120. ISBN 8177642073. 
• Maneka Gandhi, Ozair Husain, Raj Panjwani (2006). "How to file an FIR". Animal Laws of India. Universal Law Publishing Co.. pp. 795. ISBN 8175345284. 
• Sunil Goel. Courts Police Authorities & Common Man. srishti books. pp. 95–97. 

[edit] External links

• How can I have a first information report (FIR) registered at a police station? - Punjab Police website