A First Information Report (FIR) is the document the police prepares when it receives information about the commission of a cognisable offence — a serious crime where the police can arrest without a warrant. It is the first formal step in any criminal case in India.

First Information Report (FIR) — காவல் துறை ஒரு "cognisable offence" (சாட்சி இல்லாமல் கைது செய்யக்கூடிய பெரிய குற்றம்) பற்றிய தகவலைப் பெற்றதும் தயாரிக்கும் ஆவணம். இந்தியாவில் எந்த குற்றவியல் வழக்கின் முதல் முறையான படி இதுவே.

What is a "cognisable" offence?

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Cognisable offences are serious crimes — murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, theft over ₹500, dowry harassment, hit-and-run. For these, the police must register an FIR and can arrest the accused without a warrant. Non-cognisable offences (insults, defamation, simple assault, public nuisance) require court permission to investigate — these get a "Non-Cognisable Report" (NCR), not an FIR.

FIR கட்டாயம்

  • Cognisable offence நடந்திருக்க வேண்டும்
  • எந்த காவல் நிலையத்திலும் பதிவு செய்யலாம் — பின்னர் zero FIR transfer ஆகும்
  • Section 154 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) / earlier CrPC Section 154
  • Free of cost — காவலர் கட்டணம் கேட்கக்கூடாது
  • FIR copy you free-ஆக கேட்க உரிமை உண்டு

Step-by-step: how to file

Step 1

Visit the police station

Ideally the one in whose area the crime took place. Or any nearby station for "Zero FIR".

Step 2

Speak to the duty officer

Usually the SHO (Station House Officer) or duty inspector.

Step 3

Provide details

Date, time, place, what happened, who was involved, witnesses, what you saw/heard. Be factual — opinions can be excluded.

Step 4

Read the FIR carefully

Police will type your statement in the format. Read every word. Insist on corrections if anything is wrong.

Step 5

Sign — and get a copy

Sign each page. Police MUST give you a copy of the FIR free of cost.

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What if police refuse to register?

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அவசர குறிப்பு

Cognisable குற்றத்திற்கு FIR பதிவு செய்ய காவலர் மறுப்பது சட்டப்படி தவறு. Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (Supreme Court, 2013) ruling — cognisable offence-ஆக இருந்தால், FIR உடனடியாக பதிவு செய்ய வேண்டும். Preliminary inquiry-க்கான தேவை இல்லை.

FIR register இல்லை என்றால் என்ன செய்வது

  • 1. Superintendent of Police (SP) / DCP-க்கு written complaint
  • 2. State Human Rights Commission-க்கு புகார்
  • 3. சம்மந்தப்பட்ட Magistrate-க்கு Section 175 BNSS / earlier 156(3) CrPC application
  • 4. NHRC, NCW, SC/ST Commission (உரிய case-களில்)
  • 5. High Court Article 226 — writ petition

Zero FIR — for any-station filing

A Zero FIR is filed at any police station regardless of jurisdiction. The station then transfers it to the proper jurisdiction. This was introduced after the 2012 Nirbhaya case to ensure FIRs are not delayed by jurisdictional confusion. Particularly useful for inter-state crimes or when the victim is travelling.

Online FIR — what you can and can't do

Many states (including Tamil Nadu via CCTNS — Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) allow online filing of FIRs for non-violent offences — vehicle theft, mobile theft, missing person, lost documents. For violent crimes, you must visit the station. Tamil Nadu Police's e-Sevai portal also accepts complaints online.

What happens after FIR registration

1

Investigation begins

Investigating Officer (IO) is assigned

2

Site visit, evidence collection

Within 24-48 hours typically

3

Witness statements

Section 161 BNSS

4

Arrest if necessary

Within prescribed times

5

Charge sheet

Filed with Magistrate within 60-90 days; otherwise accused can seek default bail

6

Trial

Court proceedings begin

Important rights as a complainant

Complainant உரிமைகள்

  • FIR copy இலவசமாக பெற
  • Investigation-ன் progress பற்றி அறிய
  • Charge-sheet copy பெற
  • Witness ஆக appear ஆக நேரம் நிர்ணயிக்க துணை
  • Court-இல் public prosecutor மூலம் represent செய்ய — தனி lawyer தேவையில்லை
  • Victim Compensation Scheme — Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Scheme 2013-ன் கீழ்

Knowing how to file an FIR — and what to do if police are uncooperative — is part of basic citizenship education. Most importantly: file as soon as possible after the incident. Delay weakens evidence and gives the defence ammunition to challenge the case.

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