An Introduction To FIR

F.I.R. (First information Report) as the name suggests is the first information provided regarding commission of a cognizable offence (an offence in which the police may arrest a person without a warrant) by the victim himself or anyone on behalf of the victim., orally or in writing which is then recorded by the officer in charge of a Police Station. Such information can also be given via telephone, letter or an email. If the informant so desires, he can also file an E-FIR on the online portal of the concerned State. The Criminal Procedure Code 1973, however, does not provide any definition for the term. It only lays down the manner in the FIR has to be recorded. The object of registering a F.I.R is nothing but to simply set the investigative machinery rolling. However, it should be kept in mind that the information is authentic and not mere hearsay.

How do you file a F.I.R according to the provisions of the Code?

The procedure to file a F.I.R is given u/s 154 of the Code which mandates the fulfilment of the following checklist:-

1. The information (if given orally) should be written down by the officer under the directions of the informant and recorded in a diary authorised by the State Government;
2. The written information should be read over to the informant and he must endorse his signatures on the report. (Informant's refusal to sign the F.I.R will attract punishment prescribed u/s 180 IPC)
3. A copy of the F.I.R is to be provided to the informant, free of cost.
4. If the informant is temporarily or permanently disabled, it is the onus of the police officer to record the F.I.R at his residence.
5. If the informant is a woman against whom an offence u/s 326A, 326 B, 354, 354A-D, 376, 376A-E and 509 of Indian Penal Code is alleged then such information shall be recorded by a woman police officer only. (These sections deal with offences like voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, Assault on a woman with intent to disrobe, Sexual Harassment, Voyeurism, Stalking, Rape etc.)

Where do you file a F.I.R?

Ideally, the information regarding the offence committed should be reported at the Police Station having territorial jurisdiction over the area where it is committed. In case, you're not able to report it at the jurisdictional police station, you may report it at any other police station and the officer in-charge shall record the information in the form of a 'ZERO FIR'. He will record the information, register it with a '0' serial number and immediately transfer it to the concerned jurisdiction for necessary action.

Can the Officer refuse to record the F.I.R?

No police officer can refuse to record the information on the pretext that the police station doesn't have the requisite jurisdiction. Doing so shall be considered a dereliction in his duty and will attract provisions u/s 166A IPC.

What can you do if the Officer refuses to record the F.I.R?

Chronology of remedies that are available to the person aggrieved:

1. Section 154(3) Cr.PC allows the informant to write a detailed account of the information to the Superintendent of Police. Subsequent to which if the Superintendent is satisfied that the information suggests commission of a cognizable offence, he shall investigate the matter or himself or direct any subordinate police officer to do so.
2. The informant may approach the Magistrate's Court having jurisdiction and file a complaint u/s 156(3) of the Criminal Code, upon receipt of which the Magistrate exercising his powers u/s 190 Cr.PC shall direct registration of F.I.R followed by a direction of appropriate investigation in the matter.

Can the Police proceed with investigation without registering F.I.R?

Contrary to the common belief, F.I.R is not the only way to set the investigation into motion. Section 157 Cr.PC lays down that if an officer in-charge of a police station suspects commission of a cognizable offence (which he is empowered to investigate u/s 156 Cr.PC) may after sending a report to the Magistrate, commence an investigation all by himself or direct any subordinate officer to do so.

In a situation where a Magistrate invoking his powers u/s 190 coupled with 156 Cr.PC directs the police officer to investigate into a cognizable offence, the police can proceed without registering a F.I.R.

Directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court regarding registration of a F.I.R

• Prohibition of multiplicity of F.I.Rs on same cause of action.

Surender Kaushik v/s State of U.P., Cr Appeal 305/2013 can be considered an authority in addressing the issue wherein the Court considered all landmark decisions and categorically re-emphasised its stand on prohibition of filing multiple F.I.Rs for the same offence simply because it vitiates the entire purpose i.e. to set the criminal law into motion. Repeated and subsequent reports on the same incident by different informants will jeopardize the investigation. Filing of Multiple F.I.Rs can only be allowed if the later informer accounts for a completely different version of the alleged incident.

• Necessity of conducting a preliminary enquiry before recording a F.I.R

In the landmark judgment of Lalita Kumari v/s Govt. of U.P. (2014) 2 SCC 1 wherein the Apex Court while giving an extended meaning to the provisions of the Cr.PC categorically held:

• It is mandatory u/s 154 of the Code to register a F.I.R without conducting a preliminary enquiry, if a person reports about the commission of a cognizable offence.
• The question of preliminary enquiry only arises when it is not clear that the offence reported is cognizable or not. In that case, inquiry should be concluded within a week and F.I.R must be registered if sufficient material about commission of a cognizable offence is available. A copy of the F.I.R should be provided to the informant at the earliest. If the report concludes otherwise and suggests closing of complaint, reasons for doing so shall be recorded in writing.
• A non-exhaustive list of cases allowing preliminary enquiry was laid down, it included Family & Matrimonial Disputes, Commercial offences, Medical negligence, Corruption and cases where there has been a delay of more than 3 months in initiating a criminal prosecution.

• Evidentiary value of F.I.R

It is a settled position of law that F.I.R is not a substantive piece of evidence. It can only be used as corroborative evidence or to check the creditworthiness of the informant or the witness. The corroborative value of F.I.R substantially declines if there's an unexplained delay in filing of F.I.R, for the simple reason that a delay maybe interpreted as an afterthought and it puts the Courts on guard to look for possibilities of an ill motive or concoction of facts. The position with regard to delay was clearly explained in Arpen Joseph v/s State of Kerala (1973) 3 SCC 114.

However, F.I.R is considered a substantial piece of evidence where the informant does not survive till the conclusion of the trial and the F.I.R is treated as a dying declaration, if it fulfils the criteria as a valid declaration that can be regarded as an admissible piece of evidence.

(Author is a practising Lawyer at Punjab & Haryana High Court)