FIR stands for First Information Report. The term F.I.R. is a widely known term in India that is related to legal services. It is a legal document in India and some other countries that can be filed by the victim, witness, or any other individual who has complete knowledge of the offense with the Police Officer in the Police Station which helps in the investigations to be done promptly and efficiently. It is the first step in the Criminal Justice Process (The process of obtaining Justice for a victim who was involved in the offense).
Table of Content
What is the Full Form of FIR?
The full form of FIR is First Information Report. Before the Independence of India, when the British Indian Government was in power in India, the government introduced the Indian Police Act in 1861 which resulted in the establishment of a Police Force in India. Then for the first time, FIR was introduced as a new system of policing.
Importance of the F.I.R
An FIR is a basement for any case to get investigated because the filing of an FIR gives the right policy to directly go to the place where the incident took place and to enquire about the case and the Police can take any further action. An FIR ensures that the crimes are reported to the Police promptly and it helps for faster and more efficient investigations. When a crime was committed against a Victim, if the FIR was logged then the Police start enquiring about the case which helps in ensuring Justice for the victim which helps in building a better Society.
Types of F.I.R
The various types of FIR is shown below:
- General F.I.R: A general FIR is logged in the Police Station by the first party against the other party involved in the Offense. It is a normal F.I.R. logged by the serial number in the Police Station under which jurisdiction the location of Crime belongs to.
- Zero F.I.R: A Zero F.I.R is logged at any Police Station in India without any serial number irrespective of under which jurisdiction the location comes. In 2013 after Nirbhaya Case, Justice Verma suggested the provision of Zero F.I.R.
- Cross F.I.R: If both parties involved in the crime logs F.I.R against each other regarding the same incident, then it is called a Cross F.I.R.
- Multiple F.I.R: When a single party logs multiple numbers of F.I.R against the same accused in respect of the same set of facts and allegations, it will result in the accused getting entangled in multiple criminal proceedings for the same alleged offense.
Contents of an F.I.R
The following content are necessary for an FIR are shown below:
- An FIR contains the Date, Time, and Location at which the incident took place.
- An FIR contains the name, address, and details of the witness or the Victim.
- An FIR contains the name, address, and details of the Accused.
- It contains brief information about what was done, and to whom it was done.
- It contains the details of the Weapons used in the Crime and the injuries sustained by the people.
- It contains the details of the other witnesses who have complete knowledge of the crime.
- It contains the signature of the witness and their mobile numbers which helps the Police in the inquiry process if anything was required.
Who can Write an F.I.R.?
An FIR is written by the Policeman per the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure based on the complaint against any crime according to the instructions and incidents reported by the complainant (the complainant may be the victim or any witness of the offense who had complete knowledge about the crime). F.I.R. is written in the State Government Approved Diary. After the completion of writing the F.I.R., it must be read out to the complainant who must sign the statement.
FIR was introduced by the Government to keep track of and lodge all Criminal Cases and Offenses. But FIR was formalized when the Criminal Procedure Code was enacted in 1973. In an FIR, all recognizable offenses such as Murder, Rape, Theft, and all other serious crimes can be recorded.
Advantages of an F.I.R
- Legal Protection: Lodging of an FIR ensures legal protection for the Victim by the Police as there can be a chance of attacks done by the Accused
- Prompt Action: If an FIR was filed against any offense, then the Police should investigate the Case and have to collect the evidence to submit it to the Court which helps the investigations to be done promptly and efficiently.
- Peace of Mind: If the FIR is filed against the accused, then the victim may live without any tension as the case was handed over to the Police. So the Court ensures that Justice will be done to the Victim.
- Prevention of Further Crimes: If an FIR was filed against a crime then the next time no one will be daring enough to do it as there will be a chance of legal action taken by the Judiciary which helps in building a responsible society.
- Aid in Insurance claims: In case any damage was done to property in the offense or in case of theft, with the help of an FIR report filed against that offense, the victim can claim the insurance from the Companies.
Conclusion
An FIR ensures that the crimes are reported to the Police promptly and it helps for faster and more efficient investigations. When a crime was committed against a Victim, if the FIR was logged then the Police start enquiring about the case which helps in ensuring Justice for the victim which helps in building a better Society. An FIR report can also be submitted to the Judge as evidence in the Court at the time of trial.
FAQs on F.I.R
1. Who can logs an F.I.R.?
An FIR is written by the Policeman per the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure based on the complaint against any crime according to the instructions and incidents reported by the complainant (the complainant may be the victim or any witness of the offense who had complete knowledge about the crime).
2. What is Zero F.I.R.?
A Zero F.I.R. is logged at any Police Station in India without any serial number irrespective of under which jurisdiction the location comes.
3. What are the advantages of logging an F.I.R.?
Legal protection to victims, Prompt action by police, prevention of further crimes, aid in insurance claims in case of damage to property.
4. Apart from India in which Countries F.I.R is used?
Ans: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
5. What is a Cognizable Case or Offense?
A cognizable case means a case in which a police officer may, in accordance with the First Schedule of Cr. P.C.(1973), or under any other law for the time being in force, arrest without warrant.