What is a FIR?

Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 deals with the formalities pertaining to the recording of the First Information Report, or more popularly known as FIR. When information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence, is given orally to an officer in charge of a police station, it shall be reduced into writing by him or under his direction. The matter so written shall be read over to the informant and such information whether given in writing or reduced to writing shall be signed by the person giving the said information. The substance of the said information shall be entered in a book to be kept by such officer.

A copy of the FIR shall be given immediately to the person who gives the information, free of cost. The said officer shall immediately send a copy of the FIR to the jurisdictional magistrate. The police officer has no power to refuse the registration of an FIR. Further there shall be no delay in registering the FIR. If the police officer refuses to register an FIR, then the aggrieved person can approach the superior officers.

The officer in charge of a police station can investigate a cognizable offence without the order of a magistrate. Investigation of a cognizable offence comes after the registration of FIR. After the receipt of an FIR, the officer in charge of a police station, shall proceed in person or depute one of his subordinate officers to proceed to the spot to investigate the case and if necessary, to take measures for the discovery and arrest of the offender.