first information report

FIRST INFORMATION REPORT.

In the criminal procedure code, the statute,in the pre trial process of criminal cases, the first information report relating to cognizable offence is an important stage. Section 154 deals with the first information report relating to the cognizable offences. In a cognizable offence, the police is authorized to arrest the wrong doer on suspicion without arrest warrant. Examples of cognizable offences are 1.murder, 2.theft, 3.kidnapping  etc. In such a case the informant approaches the police station and gives any information to the police officer, in – charge of that police station, in whose jurisdiction such cognizable offence has taken place. The police officer has to write such first information with time and date of such information in a particular book called as GENERAL DIARY kept for such purpose.

The informant or the complainant shall sign in the general diary (register of first information) which is regularly maintained by every police station. The substance of FIR is required to be incorporated in the general diary immediately as soon as the information is received. The substance of FIR includes not only the name of the person whose statement is recorded as FIR, but also the name of the eye witnesses, the name of the accused, and particulars of cognizable offences. A copy of FIR shall be given free of cost to the informant.

The in charge police officer shall send a copy of every FIR immediately to the court and also to his higher authorities. There should be no delay. This is called the first information report. One of the police duties is to maintain the general diary properly, regularly and without corrections or alterations. The higher officials often visit and check the police stations and their records. During inspection, first of all the higher officials pay attention on the general diary. In certain occasions, the court may order to produce the general diary, in which FIR were recorded, for verification. Due to these strict rules, once an FIR is registered it cannot be changed or altered.