What is Zero FIR?

About Zero FIR

• It refers to a First Investigation Report (FIR) that is registered irrespective of the area where the offense is committed.
• The police in such a case can no longer claim that they have no jurisdiction.
• It is 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.
• Objective: It is to ensure the victim doesn’t have to run from pillar to post to get a police complaint registered. The provision is meant to provide speedy redressal to the victim so that timely action can be taken after the filing of the FIR.

What is an FIR?

• It is information recorded by a police officer on duty given either by the aggrieved person or any other person to the commission of an alleged offence.
• It is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law.

In police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR).

Q1: What is the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)?

It was enacted in 1973 (came into force on 1 April 1974) is the main legislation on procedure for administration of substantive criminal law in India.

Source: Zero FIR registered against KTR for making objectionable comments against Telangana CM