What is Zero FIR?

June 29, 2023

Recently, in Manipur violence incidents, nearly 30% of First Information Reports (FIRs) were ‘zero FIRs’, filed suo-motu by the police, irrespective of jurisdiction.

About Zero FIR:

What is it? It refers to an FIR that is registered irrespective of the area where the offence is committed.
The police, in such a case, can no longer claim that they have no jurisdiction.
Such an FIR is then later transferred to the police station that has the actual jurisdiction so that the investigation can begin.
It was introduced on the recommendation of the Justice Verma Committee formed at the backdrop of the brutal Nirbhaya gang rape in Delhi in 2012.
This puts a legal obligation on the police to begin an investigation and take quick action without the excuse of the absence of jurisdiction.

What is a first information report (FIR)?

It is the information given to a police officer in writing as per the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
From the point of view of an informant, the main purpose of an FIR is to set criminal law into motion.
While for the police, the main purpose of an FIR is to obtain information about alleged criminal activity and take necessary steps to produce the perpetrator(s) before a court.

The objective of a Zero FIR

To avoid delay and any other kind of disruptions.
To make police bound to take the jurisdiction.
Timely jurisdiction is to be taken immediately after the registration of the FIR.
To make sure that the investigation is done properly.
To enable the case to proceed fast.

Source : Tribal safety concerns lead to many ‘zero FIRs’ in Manipur; Kukis allege police bias