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In India, filing a First Information Report (FIR) is the first critical step toward justice once a crime happens. Typically, a FIR must be filed at the police station in the jurisdiction where the offence occurred. However, difficulties occur if the victim is far from the site or if authorities refuse to register the complaint owing to jurisdictional concerns.
This is where the Zero FIR comes into play, allowing victims to file a case at any police station and receive fast legal attention. The aim of this article is to explain the notion of Zero FIR, its advantages, and how it ensures victims are not turned away due to jurisdictional limits.
A Zero FIR is technically a FIR that the police can file in any police station, regardless of where the crime occurred. The word “zero” refers to the fact that it is originally assigned a temporary number, such as “0”, rather than a regular FIR serial number. Once the appropriate jurisdictional police station is found, the report is transferred, renumbered, and investigated like a standard FIR.
This measure eliminates a common problem for victims: racing from one police station to another in order to get their complaint registered. Prior to the implementation of Zero FIR, police would occasionally decline to file a complaint merely because the occurrence did not fall within their jurisdiction.
The Justice Verma Committee recommendations following the horrific 2012 Nirbhaya rape case boosted the popularity of the Zero FIR concept in India. The committee identified delays in FIR registration as a significant barrier to justice, particularly in horrific offences like as sexual assault. To enable faster reporting and immediate action, police agencies across India were instructed to file FIRs regardless of jurisdiction.
Here’s what makes Zero FIR unique and useful:
No Jurisdictional Barrier: You can register a Zero FIR at any police station, regardless of where the offence occurred.
Numbering: It is initially labelled with “0”, which is why it is known as a Zero FIR.
Transfer: Following the first registration, the Zero FIR is sent to the appropriate police station with legal competence for further action.
Legal validity: Once transferred and renumbered, it becomes a standard FIR with full legal weight.
Zero FIR is very useful when:
You are travelling and an offence occurs distant from your house.
The crime is significant or cognisable, and waiting for the suitable police station may delay action.
You are unable to quickly contact the station that has authority over the crime scene.
Serious Crimes (also known as cognisable offences) include assault, sexual assault, murder, robbery, kidnapping, and great bodily harm. In such circumstances, the police must register the FIR as soon as the information is presented.
Filing a Zero FIR involves the same fundamental stages as filing a conventional FIR, with the main distinction being the flexibility in where you can file it:
1.Visit any police station: You can walk into any police station, regardless of where the crime occurred, and request to submit a Zero FIR.
2.Give Information to the Police: Provide complete facts about the incident, including what happened, when, where (if known), and who was involved. This can be accomplished: Orally (and then the police will write it down), or in written form.
3.The police must register the FIR: The police officer on duty cannot refuse to record your complaint just because the crime is not within their jurisdiction. They must register the FIR and provide you with a copy for free.
4.Zero Number Assigned: Initially, it is designated as “0” (thus “Zero FIR”).
5.Transfer to the correct police station: Once basic information has been recorded, the station transfers the case to the relevant police station with territorial jurisdiction. That station will then issue a regular FIR number and resume its investigation.
Citizens benefit significantly from zero FIR:
Immediate Action: Victims do not need to wait or travel to file a report.
Justice for travellers: If a crime occurs outside of your home city or state, you will still receive justice quickly.
Helpful in an Emergency: Particularly important in serious cases where evidence may be lost without prompt reporting.
Despite its benefits, Zero FIR is not without challenges:
Administrative delays: Sometimes moving Zero FIR to the correct station takes time and slows down the inquiry.
Lack of awareness: Many folks are unaware about Zero FIR and how to use it.
Potential for Misuse: False or frivolous complaints, as in any system, can distract police resources.
However, with adequate information and ethical application, Zero FIR is a valuable instrument in the criminal justice system.
Zero FIR is a legal provision that enables citizens to submit FIRs at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. This ensures that victims receive prompt justice, particularly in crises, with no delays caused by jurisdictional limits.
The author, Adv. Abdul Mulla, is a seasoned legal professional who provides insights into crucial legal issues such as Zero FIR. For more thorough legal knowledge, he provides his experience on platforms such as www.lifeandlaw.in and www.asmlegalservices.in, which provide essential tools for anyone seeking clarification on legal processes.
Adv. Abdul Mulla (Mob. No. 937 007 2022) is a seasoned legal professional with over 18 years of experience in advocacy, specializing in diverse areas of law, including Real Estate and Property Law, Matrimonial and Divorce Matters, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Will and Succession Planning. read more….
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