Manipur violence: What is a Zero FIR and why it is registered

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CategoryPolity

Last Updated25/07/2023

The term FIR is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law.
However, in police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR)
It is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence.
Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing.
- Three important elements of an FIR
- The information must relate to the commission of a cognizable offence,
- It should be given in writing or orally to the head of the police station,
- It must be written down and signed by the informant, and its key points should be recorded in a daily diary.

A zero FIR can be filed at any police station by a complainant, regardless of their place of residence or location of occurrence of the crime.
The respective police station takes in the FIR and marks it as a zero FIR by giving it serial number zero.
Afterwards, it is transferred to the relevant police station for investigation.
Objective
- To aid victims in getting a complaint registered without running from pillar to post.
- Provide speedy redressal to the victim so that timely action can be taken after the filing of the FIR.
The provision of Zero FIR came up after the recommendation in the report of the Justice Verma Committee
- It was constituted to suggest amendments to the Criminal Law in a bid to provide for faster trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women
It was initially highlighted after the Nirbhaya Case, 2012.
The police officers who fail to comply with the registration of Zero FIR may invite prosecution under Section 166A of IPC and also departmental action.