Filing / Getting an FIR
When you are a victim or witness of a cognisable offence and want to report it, or when police are refusing to register your complaint
Your rights
5 rights, every one grounded in a specific statutory section.
Right to have a cognisable offence registered as an FIR — police cannot refuse to register a cognisable offence at any police station in India (Zero FIR).
BNSS s. 173Information in cognisable cases — mandatory registration of FIR; Zero FIR provisionRight to a free copy of the FIR immediately after it is registered.
BNSS s. 173(2)Informant entitled to free copy of FIR on registrationRight to file a non-cognisable report (NCR) and have it entered in the Non-Cognisable Register — police cannot ignore it.
BNSS s. 174Non-cognisable cases — entry in daily diary and referral to MagistrateRight to approach the Superintendent of Police or a Magistrate if the local police station refuses to register your FIR.
BNSS s. 175Magistrate's power to direct investigation on refusal to register FIRRight to receive updates on the investigation status under BNSS provisions for victim information rights.
BNSS s. 193Supply of copy of police report and documents to accused and victim
Your duties
What you must do so the law is on your side.
Provide accurate information — knowingly giving false information to police is an offence.
BNS s. 217Giving false information to public servant — punishable offenceCooperate with the police investigation to the extent required by law and appear when summoned.
BNSS s. 179Duty to cooperate with police investigation when summonedKeep records of all communications with police (dates, names, station diary numbers) for any follow-up.
Do say
- ·“I wish to file an FIR for a cognisable offence. I am entitled to a free copy under Section 173 BNSS.”
- ·“If this is a Zero FIR situation — I am not in your jurisdiction, but I am entitled to file here and have it transferred.”
- ·“Please give me the daily diary number and FIR number.”
- ·“If you refuse to register, I will approach the Superintendent of Police or the Magistrate under Section 175 BNSS.”
- ·“I want my complaint to be read back to me before I sign.”
Do not say
- ·Do not accept a verbal assurance that "action will be taken" without a written acknowledgement.
- ·Do not leave the station without the FIR copy or at least the diary entry number.
- ·Do not alter your statement under pressure — what you say becomes part of the official record.
- ·Do not pay any amount to "fast-track" your FIR — this is a free statutory service.
Get a lawyer immediately if
- ·If police refuse to register your FIR — do not leave. Ask for the diary entry number and consult a lawyer immediately.
- ·If police pressure you to change your statement — do not sign anything without a lawyer.
- ·If you are asked to pay for FIR registration — this is illegal. File a complaint against the officer.
- ·If the FIR copy is withheld — consult a lawyer immediately; this violates BNSS s.173(2).
- ·Do not sign a blank or incomplete FIR form under any circumstances.
Emergency contacts
National helplines available 24/7.
Statutory references
Every right and duty above is anchored in one of these.
- BNSS s. 173Information in cognisable cases — mandatory FIR registration and Zero FIR
- BNSS s. 174Non-cognisable cases — daily diary entry
- BNSS s. 175Magistrate may direct investigation on refusal to register
- BNSS s. 193Victim information rights during investigation
- BNS s. 217False information to public servant — offence
Need this in an emergency?
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Get the mobile app →Not legal advice. This guide is a citation-grounded reference, not a substitute for a lawyer. If your rights have been violated or you need to act on something specific, consult an advocate. We do not connect citizens to lawyers (BCI Rule 36 compliant).
Every right and duty above maps to a section of an Indian statute. We do not generate legal text — every quoted citation is sourced from BNS / BNSS / BSA / Constitution / the relevant special Act and verified before publication.