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• What do I do if I am a victim of a crime or have been a witness to a Crime?

If you have been a victim of a crime and require emergency help, you may call number 100 from a mobile phone or a fixed land line, for immediate police assistance. As soon as the emergency is attended to and you are in a position to give a statement, you may give a detailed statement to the police officer regarding the crime and the police will be bound to record it. If the crime comitted against you falls under the list of cognizable crimes listed in the First Schedule of the  Code of Criminal Procedure 1973, then the police will be bound to register an FIR and also hand over a copy of the FIR to you. You are entitled to receive a copy of the FIR  for free as per law. Once a case is registered by the police, it will be the responsibility of the police to conduct an investigation into it and file a Charge Sheet or a final report in the court of law. The court will then take cognizance of the police report and conduct the trial of the case. You may also request the police for sufficient protection/preventive measures so as to prevent further crimes against you.
If you have been a witness to a crime, as a responsible citizen you should immediately report it to the nearest police station. While the police attend to the crime and investigate the matter, you may also voluntarily offer yourself as a witness to the crime during investigation and subsequently during the trial of the case in the court of law. This is the duty of every law abiding citizen.

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• How do I find my Police station?

You may use the link provided on this website and find your police station on the map. Once you have located your police station, you may click on the name to get more information on the officer in-charge and contact details.

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• What is an F.I.R

What is the format of the first information report which the police records my complaint on? and what is an Cognizable offence ?

FORMAT OF THE F.I.R.
Book No. ___________
FORM NO. 24.5 (1)
FIRST INFORMATION REPORT
First Information of a Cognizable Crime Reported under Section 154, Criminal PenalCode
Police Station .................................... District .............................. No ..................
Date and hour of Occurrence .....................

Signature .......................
Designation ................................
(First information to be recorded below)
NOTE:- The signature of seal or thumb impression of the informer should be at the end of the information and the signature of the Writer of (FIR) should be existed as usual.
The above is the format and below is the law on the basis of which the cognizable crime is recorded
F.I.R. ON AUTHENTIC INFORMATION
The information given to the Police Officer for registration of a case must be authentic. It should not be gossip but should be traced to an individual who should be responsible for imparting information. It may be hearsay but the person in possession of hearsay should mention the source of information and take responsibility for it. An irresponsible rumour should not result in registration of F.I.R.

(Q. 2)   WHO CAN LODGE AN F.I.R.?
(1) Complainant who is an aggrieved person or some body on his behalf.
(2) By any person who is aware of the offence (a) as an eye witness and (b) as an hearsay account.
(3) Provided the person in possession of the hearsay is required to subscribe his signautre to it and mention the source of his information so that it does not amount to irresponsible rumour. The rule of law is, if general law is broken any person has a right to complain whether he has suffered an injury or not.
(a) By the accused himself.
(b) By the SHO on his own knowledge or information even when a cognizable offence is committed in view of a officer incharge he can register a case himself and is not bound to take down in writing any information. Under the order of Magistrate uls 156 (3) Criminal Procedure code, when a complaint is forwarded to officer incharge without taking cognizance. If information is only hear say, then SHO should register case only if person in posses- sion of hearsay subscribes his signature to it and mentions the source of his information so that it does not amount to irresponsible rumour. The information must be definite, not vague, authentic, not baseless, gossip or rumour, clearly making out a cognizable case.
4) The information is only by a medical certificate or doctor's ruqqa about arrival of the injured, then he (SHO) should enter it in daily diary and go to hospital for recording detailed statement of injured. 

(Q. 3) WHAT ABOUT F.I.R. ON TELEPHONE OR ON TELEGRAMME ?
Legally a case may not be registered
(a) as there is always a doubt about its authenticity
(b) as it does not satisfy the tests of Section 154 Criminal Procedure Code being not an oral statement reduced into writing; read over, admitted correct and signed by the informer. Message to the police on telephone that an injured person was lying amount to FIR (Sukharam Vs. State of Maharashtra (1969) 3 SCC, 730.
On receipt of telegram in railways case may be registered. Normally enquiry should be made and on receipt of an original telegram which contains the thumb impression or signatures, case may be registered.
Officer incharge should begin to write FIR in the First Information Report Register at the dictation of the informer. According to para 24.5 Punjab Police Rules,  the register shall be a printed book consisting of 200 pages and shall be completely filled in before a new one is started. Cases shall bear annual serial number in such Police Station for each calendar year. Every four pages of the register shall be numbered with the same number and shall be written at the same time by carbon copying process. The original copy shall be a permanent record of Police Station. The other three copies shall be submitted to (a) Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commisioner of Police or other Gazetted Officer nominated by him (b) to the Metropolitan Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence as is required by Sec. 157 Criminal Procedure Code. (c) one to the complainant. The seal of the Police Station shall be put on every copy and original.
If an informer refuses to sign the F. I. R. he is guilty of offence u / s 1 80 Indian Penal Code which is as follows..-
'Whoever refuse to sign on any statement made by him, when required to sign that statement by a public servant, legally competent to require that he shall sign that statement, shall be punished with simple imprisontment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both".
If the Police Officers refuses to enter the FIR and instead enters in D.D. Register a totally different and false report, he is guilty u/s 177/167/218 IPC which are as follows:-

(Q. 4) WHAT IS THE OBJECT OF AN F.I.R. ?
To make a complaint to the police to set the criminal law in motion. Its secondary though equally important objects is to obtain early information of an alleged criminal activity.

(Q. 5) WHAT IF WE DELAY IN LODGING F.I.R. ?
The longer the delay, the stronger the suspicion. That the case is false wholly or in material particulars, so the delay should satisfactorily be explained.
(1) Care should always be taken that the names of witnesses are mentioned in F.I.R. if the names of P.Ws do not appear in it and they are examined later on, the presumption is that they were not present at the spot and have been procured later on.
(2) Care should be taken that all the material facts are mentioned in FIR(as much available at that time).
(3) Names of the accused persons should occur in F.I,R. and their parts also. (If information is available at that time).
(4) It is not necessary to put up or cite all the P.Ws. in court.

(Q. 6) WHAT COULD BE THE POSSIBLE REASONS OF DELAY ?
Note: Reasons of the delay on the part of complainant is mentioned as "DOC". Reasons of the dlelay on the part of police/ is mentioned as "DOP".
1. Physical condition of the informer (DOC).
2. Psychological condition of the informer (DOC).
3. Natural calamities (Both).
4. Distance of place of occurance (Both).
5. Ignorance of law of informer.(DOC).
6. Late detection of commission of crime (DOC).
7. Due to threat, promise and undlue influence (DOC).
8. Economic & social and undue influence (DOC).
9. Dispute over the jurisdiction of Police Station (DOP).
10. Uncertainity of place of occurrence due to continuous offence (DOP).
11. Shortage of staff (DOP).
12. Unavoidable departmental formalities (including delay due to opinion of experts ) (DOP).
Reasons of delay should be explained in the FIR.

(Q.7) CAN YOUR LATER VERSION BECOME AN F.I.R.?
Any information forming the basis of F.I.R. is found untrue and the later version given during investigation is found true and challan is put on that basis, can the later version given in some statement ‘F.I.R’ is?
The answer is :- "No"………….. FIR will remain the same on which the investigation was started. The later statement being during investigation, even if found true cannot become F.I.R

(Q. 8) WHAT IF AN ACCUSED PERSON LODGES AN F.I.R. HIMSELF ?
Sometimes it so happens that accused after commission of crime goes to Police Station and lodges an F.I.R, the procedural legal provision as well as the
Indian Evidence Act are mentioned as under:-.
1. Sec.162 Criminal Procedure Code. does not hit such F.I.R.
2. Sec.25 Indian Evidence Act, is applicable if the statement is in the nature of confession but is relevant u/s 21 of the Indian Evidence Act..
3. Sec.25 of the Indian Evidence Act "No confession made to a Police Officer shall be proved as against a person accused of any offence may it be before or after investigation."
4. If the information is non-confessional, it is admissible against the accused as an admission U/S 18/21 of the Indian Evidence Act and is relevant.
5. For corroborating the statement of the maker under section 157 of the Indian Evidence Act.
6. For contradiction of the evidence of person giving the information U/S 145 of the Indian Evidence Act.
7. For refreshing informers memory U/S 159 of the Indian Evidence Act.
8. For impeaching the credit o f an informer U/S 155 of the Indian Evidence Act.
9. For proving the informers conduct U/S 8 of the Indian Evidence Act.
10. U/S 32(1) of Indian Evidence Act (Dying declaration)
11. U/S 6 Evidence Act when the injuries are being caused in the presence of SHO in a Police Station.
12. U/S 160 Evidence Act when the informer fails to recall his memory the facts, but he is sure the facts were correctly reported in the FIR at the time he wrote, read it.
13. FIR is a public document prepared U/S 154 Criminal Procedure Code and a certified copy of it can be given in evidence U/S 77 of Indian Evidence Act.
14. The FIR by an accused person cannot be treated as an evidence against any co-accused, as it was lodged by the accused and not by a witness.
But if information is received that injured had been shot and had been removed to Hospital, it is sufficient for registration of case.
As such every case depends upon its own circumstances and the police officer should exercise his own judgement and diligence to test the information if it is clear, definite and based upon tangible facts to disclose commission of cognizable or suspicion of commission of a cognizable offence.

(Q. 9) LOOKING AT F.I.R.s IN DIFFERENT OFFENCES - CONSPIRACY.
In conspiracy cases, a definite information which justifies registration of case, is fairely after making some enquiries. So it is not on every information that some persons are conspiring to do an illegal act that an F.I.R. should be registered. "A police man passes through three stages in conspiracy case; hears something of interest affecting the public security and which puts him on the alert; makes discreet enquiries, takes soundings and sets up informations and is in the second stage of enquiry or look out and finally gathers sufficient information enabling him to hit upon something definite and that is the state when first information is recorded and then investigation starts. Hence a preliminary enquiry made by the C.I.D. Police into relative information floating about as to the existence of the conspiracy, the names and other details of the conspirators not being known at the time is not investigation carried out u/s 156 Cr.P.C.
F.I.R. need only be registered when information is definite about conspirators and their acts disclosing commission of cognizable offence.
F.I.R. IN CORRUPTION CASES
In cases of corruption, not registered on traps laid, but on complaints, always a suitable preliminary enquiry into the allegation, is required. Such preliminary enquiries are relevant before the registration of case and are permissible under law. But as soon as it became clear to enquiring officer that the public servant appeared to be guilty of severe misconduct, it was his duty to lodge F.I.R. and proceed further in the investigation.
F.I.R. IN MURDER CASES
In murder cases, following types of F.I.R.'s are recorded by police.
i) When it contains direct evidence of murder on the basis of ocular evidence.
ii) When the Police registers the case minimizing the offence from murder to 307 or u/s 364 IPC to avoid its despatch to magistrate which otherwise is essential if case is really registered for murder. This is invariably in those cases in which the informer is not sure of the culprits and priliminary enquiry is required by Police to find out the facts and to show that the case was registered properly.
iii) When a dead body identified or unidentified is recovered, with cause of death which is clear and the injuries are apparent the neck is cut etc.
iv) When only inquest is held to discover the cause of death and the case is registered after the report of Medical Officer, or after the receipt of report of chemical examiner etc with re- gard to poison given to the deceased. Only a report is recorded in Daily Diary at the first instance.
(v) When the death is under suspicious circumstances and inves- tigation is necessary which otherwise cannot be done without the registration of case. This is mainly in cases where dead body is not available, but the circumstances indicate that cognizable offence has occurred.

(Q. 10) WHO CAN WRITE the F.I.R.?
1) A FIR is always to be -written by an officer incharge of a Police Station. (Definition of officer in charge is given in Sec. 2 Criminal Procedure Code.).
2) Police officers superior in rank to officer incharge of a police station may exercise the same powers through the local area to which they are appointed, as may be exercised by SHO with in the limits of his Police Station.
3) Some times it so happens that the information is given by the informer to a police officer who is out in the illaqa or to an incharge of a local police post. Strictly speaking the officers are not officers incharge of a police station and such information lodged with them are not.reports. These officers record the statement of the informers and send the same on to the SHO of a Police Station for recording F.I.Rs. These statements are however admissible U/ S. 157 Evidence Act.
4) Jurisdiction is an essential factor in registering a FIR.

(Q. 11) WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIALS OF AN F.I.R?
The recording officer and the complainant should know to the extent possible, the 11 Ws while recording/reporting the FIR.
1. W - What information has come to convey.
2. W - In what capacity.
3. W - Who committed crime.
4. W - Whom against crime committed.
5. W - When (Time)
6. W - Where(Place)
7. W - Why (Motive)
8. W - Which way (actual occurrence)
9. W - Witnesses.
10. W - What was taken away.
11. W - What traces were left by the accused.

(Q. 12) DESCRIPTION OF CULPRITS IN F.I.R.
The recording officer should try to fix clearly the identity of accused, the P.Ws. and of the stolen property, (to the extent possible).

(Q. 13) WHAT IS THE EVIDENTIARY VALUE OF F.I.R.  ?
FIR being not substantive piece of evidence it can be used in the following ways : - 9
1 . For corroboration purposes. It can not be ignored altogether and can be used to corroborate the statement of the eyewitnesses.
2. For contradicting the evidence of person giving the information.
3. For proving as an admission against the informer.
4. For refreshing informer's memory.
5. For impeaching the credit of an informer.
6. For proving informer's conduct.
7. For establishing identity of accused, witnesses & for fixing spot time as relevant facts u/s 9 Evidence Act. Cases : 1968 M.P. 45.

(Q. 14) WHEN DOES F.I.-R. BECOME SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE ?
1 . During declaration when a person deposing about the cause of his death had died(dying declaration).
2. When the injuries are being caused in the presence of SHO in PS and the injured makes a state- ment to the SHO saying that accused was injuring him.
3. When the informer who has written the FIR or read it, fails to recall memory those facts but is, sure that the facts were correctly represented in FIR at the time he wrote it or read it.

(Q. 15) WHAT HAPPENS TO THE F.I.R. FINALLY ?
1 When there is sufficient evidence a CHALLAN is prepared.
2. When there is insufficient evidence, F.I.R is declared as UNTRACE.
3. When FIR is found to be false or is transferred to other Police Station on point of jurisdiction, it is decided as CANCELLED.
4. After registering the FIR the contents of the FIR can not be changed. Only High Court can quash the FIR.

( Q. 16) SPECIAL REPORT AND ITS IMPORTANCE - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THE F.I.R.s AS A FOLLOW UP
The police is required to send the. copy of F.I.R. to the lllaqa Magistrate immediately after registration of the case u/s 157 Criminal Procedure Code. and under the rules framed by Police. A special report, primarily the copy of F.I.R. in cases of heinous nature like murder, dacoity, and all specially reported cases (24.5 P.P.R.) (Punjab Police Rules) is also to be sent immediately after registration of such a case to the Illaqa Magistrate. Copy of FIR is given to S.P/DCP. of the District for administrative purpose. Even when a case is registered under minor offence, the special report needs to be sent, immediately graver offence requiring despatch of special report, is made out. The magistrate on its receipt gives the date and time of receipt on it and this is guarantee of its being recorded by Police at the specified date and time given in it. In case of delay in its despatch to magistrate, there are two presumptions;
 (i) That it was not recorded at the time and date given in it and was antitimed or antidated;
(ii) That the delay had been occasioned due to preliminary enquiries made by Police to find out culprits or to spin out a story, to introduce improvements and embellishments and to set up distorted version. An unexplained delay in sending F.I.R./S.R. evokes suspicion.
In many a case, the delay is explained by police by coining any excuse as in 1973 Recent Laws 35, it was held to be a usual story of punctured cycle. The explanation must be satisfactory and acceptable. If no explanation is forthcorn- ing, then it creates a doubt in the minds of judicial officers as to the genuineness of F.I.R.
Write the statement of Constable who takes special report to Magistrate separately u/s 161 Criminal Procedure Code. the delay, if any, should be explained in his statement. The Constable should get the receipt of Magistrate with time and date on the cover of the envelope and preserve it. Both going and return of Constable is to be recorded in daily dairy (with cause of delay if any).
(a) The F.I.R. shall be sent to the Magistrate immediately in the Court during Court hours and at his residence thereafter.
(b) If Magistrate concerned is out of station then to be submitted to Duty Magistrate.
(c) If Magistrate is not available after Court hours then the mes- senger will leave at his residence giving the date and hour of delivery on the cover.
(d) If an account of difficulties in communication or other rea- sons the delivery is delayed the reasons and delay shall be recorded on the cover.
(e) The Magistrate shall put his initials and the date and hour of receipt.

(Q. 17) WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF INFORMATION IN CASE OF NON-COGNIZABLE OFFENCES?

FORMAT OF INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF
NON-CONGIZABLE OFFENCE (N.C.R)
Under Section 155 Criminal Procedure Code

(Q.18)   What is the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMPLAINT & F.I.R.

COMPARISON CHART OF what an F.I.R. IS AND what IS NOT an FIR ?
(Sec. 154. Criminal Procedure Code.)

From the above, the following ingredients can be made out:-
1) It must be information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence.
2) It must be given to an officer-in-charge of a police station.
3) It must be reduced to writing, if given orally.
4) It should be appended by the signature of the informer (Refusal to sign the report is punishable u/s 180 IPC).
5) It should be read over to the informer.
6) The gist of the information should be entered in the Station General Diary.
7) A copy should be given forthwith free of cost to the informer.
Informer must be produced in the court to prove and corroboration of it.
DO'S AND DON"TS
DO'S
1. FIR should be lodged immediately.
2. It should be recorded in first person.
3. Attitude/Behavious towards the vicitirn should be sympathetic.
4. Technical words should be avoided and as far as possible language of the inforrner/complainant should be used .
5. Written complaint should be taken.
6. But complainant should be at descrect to give written statement.
7. Written statement should be duly signed or thumb impressioned.
8. Only a report of congnizable offence should be lodged in FIR.
9. Authentic information should be mentioned in FIR.
10. Place, Date & Time of occurrence should be mentioned in the FIR.
11. Arrival & Departure of the informer should be mentioned in the FIR as well as Daily Dairy Register.
12. Delay, if any, in registering the case should be covered in FIR.
13. 1 1 "Ws' should be strictly followed.
14. Description & Role of every accused involved in the Commission of offence should be covered in FIR.
15. Kind of physical damage & property destroyed should be mentioned in the FIR. 1
16 Weapon of offence and observation of Scene of crime should be mentioned in the FIR.
17. Telephone number, if any, of the complainant should also be mentioned.
18. Four copies of FIR should be prepared simultaniously by carbon paper process.
19. FIR should be lodged in neat & clean hand writing and be kept in safe custody being a permanent record.
20. A copy of FIR should be sent to MM concerned immediately.
21. A copy of FIR should be provided to the complainant free of cost.
DO NOT'S
1. Complainant. should not be puzzled.
2. Harsh language should not be used.
3. Aggression should be avoided.
4 . Unnecessary details should be avoided.
5 . Over-writing/ scoring should be avoided.
6 . Offence should not be minimized.
7 . Do not forget to take thimb impression or signature of the informer.
8 . FIR should not be lodged on the basis of telephone telegram or hearsay rumour without verifying the facts and getting the signature of the informer/ complainant.

(Q.19)  WHAT ACTION CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THE POLICE IN NON-COGNIZABLE OFFENCE.
1. The information regarding non-cognizable offence ought to get lodged in the Daily Diary Register.
2. Complainant ought to get advised &   briefed properly to approach the Court.
3. Police officer can not investigate into the Non-congnizable cases without the order of the court hence complainant should be informed.
4. A copy of DD entry duly signed ought to be provided to the complainant free ocost.
5. If orders regarding investigation into non-cognizable cases is received the  same procedure should be adopted as in the cognizable cases.
6. Orders of the court should be obtained to arrest the accused  in Non congnizable cases after the investigation .
7. If one of the offences in the commission of crime is cognizable office then Non-congnizable offence should also be investigated in the same manner( as Cognizable offences are investigated.

(Q.  20) WHAT DOES THE POLICE DO WHEN THE COMPLAINTS ARE DOUBTFUL.
in accordance with P.P.R. 24.4. if the information or other intelligent relating to the alleged commission of a cognizable offence is such that an officer-in-charge of the police station has reason to suspect that the alleged offence has not been committed, he shall record the same in the station diary alongwith his reasons for not investigating the crime and also nulify the informer.
(i) Inspector or Supervising Officer can direct the investigation in such case and may send the report to the Magistrate for perusal and order.
(ii) If such information or intelligence relates to commission of offence uls 489 IPC, the same shall be recorded uls 154 Criminal Procedure Code. in the station diary as well as the special report as per P.P.R. 24.16 shall be submitted and also the source of movement of the note at which cognizable offence appears to have been made committed, in that case, a case shall be regis- tered in the police station concerned and investigation u/s 157 Criminal Procedure Code. shall be made
 (Q. 21) what if any one gives false information to the police ?
See. 177 IPC. Furnishing false information
'Whoever, being legally bound to furnish information on any subject to any public servant, as such, furnishes, as true, information on the subject which he knows or has reason to believe to be false, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months.' or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Or, if the information which he is legally bound to give respects the commis- sion of an offence, or is required for the purpose of preventing the cornmis- sion.of an offence, or in order to the apprehension of an offender, with im prisonment of either descriptionfor a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both".
Sec. 182 IPC: "False information with intent to cause public servant to use his power to the injury of another person.
'Whoever gives to any public servant any inforrnation which he knows or believes to be false, intending thereby to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, such public servant
(a) to do or omit anything which such public servant ought not to do or omit if the true state offacts respecting which such infor- mation is given were known by him, or
(b) to use the lawful power of such public servant to the injury or annoyance of any person.
shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or u,,ith fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or u7ith both.
Sec.211 IPC: 
False charge of offence made with intent to injure.
'Whoever, with intent to cause injury to any person, Institutes or causes to be instituted any criminalproceeding against thatperson, or falsely charges any person with having committed an offence, knowing that there is nojust or lawful groundfor suchproceeding or charge against thatperson, shall be punished u7ith imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or udthfzne, or with both.
And if such criminal proceeding be instituted on a false charge of an offence punishable with death, imprisonrnentfor life or imprisonment for seven years or upwards, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine'.
 (Q. 22) WHAT IF A POLICEMAN RECORDS YOUR F.I.R. WRONGLY ?
Sec. 167 IPC: Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person.
Whoever, being a public servant, and being, as suchpublic servant, charged with the preparation or translation of any document, frames or translates that document in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect, in- tending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person, shall be punished udth imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both'.
Sec.218 IPC:- Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
Whoever, being a public servant, and being as such public servant, charged with the preparation of any record or other writing, frames that record or writing in a manner which he knows to be incorrect, uath intent to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause, loss or injury to the public or to any person, or with intent thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or other charge to which it is liable by law, shall be punished with im- prisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or withfine, or with both.
If the informer gives false report,. he is liable to be prosecuted u/s 182 or 211 IPC which are as follows:
Sec. 166 IPC:
Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person.
"Whoever, bring a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will, by such disobedience, cause injury to any person, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Sec. 217 IPC:
Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture.
"Whoever , being a public servant, knowingly disobeys any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant, intending thereby to save, or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby save, any person from legal punishment, or subject him to a less punishment than that to which he is liable, or with intent to save, or knowing that he is likely thereby to save, any property from forfeiture or any charge to which it is liable by law, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

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• What are Cognizable and Non-Cognizable crimes?

Cognizable crimes are those crimes for which the police can register the crime straight away without any permission from a court of law and start investigation. In these crimes, the police can also make arrests without a warrant from a court of law. All serious crimes will thus fall under the cognizable list. Which offences are cognizable and which are not, is listed under the Schedule One of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. In case of non-cognizable cases, the police will have to seek court permission before registering and proceeding with investigation. Arrests to be made if any will also require a warrant from the court.

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• What are Bailable and Non –Bailable crimes?

Bailable crimes are crimes where an arrested person will get bail as a matter of right. In non-bailable crimes, bail will not be a matter of right. Bail can still be obtained but will be at the discretion of the court. The list of bailable and non-bailable crimes is listed under the Schedule One of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.

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• What do I do if I am refused an F.I.R

If the police fail to register an FIR at the police station, the district Superintendent of Police may be approached, who will then be bound to get the case registered and investigated by a suitable officer.

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• What are my rights as a complainant in a crime

As a complainant in a crime.,

• The police is bound to receive your complaint and give acknowledgment to that effect
• If the information disclosed by you in the complaint amounts to a cognizable offence, the police are bound to register an FIR based on the complaint given by you
• You are entitled to receive a copy of the FIR free of cost from the police
• If you fear a threat from the suspects in the case, you may also seek suitable protection from the police.

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• What do I do if I am implicated in a crime?
• If you feel you have been falsely implicated in a crime, inform the police immediately the real facts of the case and produce as much evidence as possible in your defense.
• If you suspect the local police is not supporting your case despite the evidence in you favor, then bring the matter to the knowledge of the senior officers in the department by the quickest possible means.
• If you still feel you should be on a safe ground, consult an advocate and apply to the court of law for an anticipatory bail.

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• What are my rights as an accused in a case?
• The police should give you a fair chance and hearing to prove your innocence
• If you are being arrested, the police will have to give you a fair opportunity of access to legal aid.
• The police will have to inform the grounds of arrest.
• The police will have to inform your family members about your arrest.
• You cannot be held in custody of the police for more than 24 hours.
• You will have to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hrs of your arrest.
• A lady shall be arrested only by women police.
• No handcuffs shall be used unless the arrestee is resisting arrest or is attempting escape.
• If the case against you is being charge sheeted and is being submitted to the Court, you are entitled to a copy of the investigation file, to prepare your defense for the trial.

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• How do I obtain information under the RTI?

Please consult the RTI link on the home page of this website

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• In case of police harassment, whom do I report?
• Report immediately to the senior officers in the department, who are bound to conduct a fair enquiry into the issue and bring to book the offenders.
• You may even think of filing a complaint before the local police or the Superintendent of Police, for registration of a case and investigation.
• If your complaint is refused you may even think of filing a private complaint in the court of law.
• You may even inform the State or National Human Rights Commission.

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• Suppose I report a crime, what is my role in the investigation or trail.

If you have reported a crime to the police or in other words have been a complainant in a crime, you have done a very responsible job as a citizen. During the course of investigation you are normally not disturbed but on occasions you may need to clarify certain issues to the police for which you need not necessarily have to visit the police station. On occasion you may need to attend an identification parade where you may need to identify the criminal. All these are absolutely voluntary and you cannot be forced to do any of these although performing these only helps the police in bring to book the real criminal and it is the most responsible thing to do. During the course of trial of the case in the court of law, you will be summoned by the court on one occasion to adduce your evidence and during the process you may even be cross examined by the defense counsel.

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• If there is a demand of bribe, what action can I take?
• Immediately inform the higher ups in the department who will take immediate and direct action on the issue.
• You may also think of informing the Local Lokayuktha Officials confidentially and they will guide you as to how to bring the delinquent official to book.

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• What are my rights as a lady vis-a-vis the police.
• As a lady you shall not be summoned to the police station for enquiries. The police will have to as far as possible visit the Lady at the place of residence and make enquiries.
• A lady will always be enquired in the presence of women police staff.
• If a lady is to be arrested it is to be done by women police only.
• A lady will not normally be kept in police custody in a police lockup during the night.

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• As a citizen, do I have the rights to arrest a person?

Yes, as a citizen, if you are witness to a crime, you have the powers to immediately prevent the crime by affecting the arrest of the offender and immediately produce the offender before the nearest police station.

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• What is the law relating to search and seizure?

Sections 91  to 105  of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 deal with police powers and procedures relating to Search of a premises or person and seizure of property.

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• What are civil and criminal matters?

Matters dealt with under the Code of Civil Procedure are civil matters, matters dealt with under the Code of Criminal Procedure are criminal matters. Civil law deals with individual wrongs for example, land disputes, financial matters etc. Criminal law deals with wrongs against society like offences of hurt, theft cheating etc.

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• What can and what cannot be done by the police in a civil dispute.

Normally there is no role for the police in civil matter unless the court has given special direction to that effect. In case the police anticipate a criminal problem like disturbance of law and order due to the civil dispute, the police may take measures to prevent such disturbances. In disputes relating to immovable property, likely to cause breach of peace, the police may initiate action under Sec 145 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by reporting the matter to the concerned Executive Magistrate.

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• What are my rights vis a vis arrest.

D.K.Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997) 1 SCC 216

In view of the increasing incidence of violence and torture in custody, the Supreme Court of India has laid down 11 specific requirements and procedures that the police and other agencies have to follow for the arrest, detention and interrogation of any person. These are:

l    Police arresting and interrogating suspects should wear “accurate, visible and clear” identification and name tags, and details of interrogating police officers should be recorded in a register.

l    A memo of arrest must be prepared at the time of arrest. This should:

µ    have the time and date of arrest.

µ    be attested by at least one witness who may either be a family member of the person arrested or a respectable person of the locality where the arrest was made.

µ    be counter-signed by the person arrested.

l    The person arrested, detained or being interrogated has a right to have a relative, friend or well-wisher informed as soon as practicable, of the arrest and the place of detention or custody. If the person to be informed has signed the arrest memo as a witness this is not required.

l       Where the friend or relative of the person arrested lives outside the district, the time and place of arrest and venue of custody must be notified by police within 8 to 12 hours after arrest. This should be done by a telegram through the District Legal Aid Authority and the concerned police station.

l    The person arrested should be told of the right to have someone informed of the arrest, as soon as the arrest or detention is made.

l    An entry must be made in the diary at the place of detention about the arrest, the name of the person informed and the name and particulars of the police officers in whose custody the person arrested is.

l    The person being arrested can request a physical examination at the time of arrest. Minor and major injuries if any should be recorded. The "Inspection Memo" should be signed by the person arrested as well as the arresting police officer. A copy of this memo must be given to the person arrested.

l    The person arrested must have a medical examination by a qualified doctor every 48 hours during detention. This should be done by a doctor who is on the panel, which must be constituted by the Director of Health Services of every State.

l       Copies of all documents including the arrest memo have to be sent to the Area Magistrate (laqa Magistrate) for his record.

l    The person arrested has a right to meet a lawyer during the interrogation, although not for the whole time.

l    There should be a police control room in every District and State headquarters where information regarding the arrest and the place of custody of the person arrested must be sent by the arresting officer. This must be done within 12 hours of the arrest. The control room should prominently display the information on a notice board.

These requirements were issued to the Director General of Police and the Home Secretary of every State. They were obliged to circulate the requirements to every police station under their charge. Every police station in the country had to display these guidelines prominently. The judgment also encouraged that the requirements be broadcast through radio and television and pamphlets in local languages be distributed to spread awareness.

Failure to comply with these requirements would make the concerned official liable for departmental action. Not following these directions constitutes a contempt of the Supreme Court, which is a serious offence, punishable by Imprisonment and fine. This contempt of court petition can be filed in any High Court.

These requirements are in addition to other rights and rules, such as:

µ    The right to be informed at the time of arrest of the offence for which the person is being arrested.

µ    The right to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours of the arrest.

µ    The right not to be ill-treated or tortured during arrest or in custody.

µ       Confessions made in police custody cannot be used as evidence against the accused.

µ    A boy under 15 years of age and women cannot be called to the police station only for questioning.

The Constitution

The Constitution of India, which is the basic law of the country, provides protection to all persons from ill treatment and torture by the police and other state agencies.

Article 21
Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty to all persons.

Article 22
Lays down the rights available at the time of arrest and detention. These rights can be enforced by directly approaching the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.

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• When can Police arrest a person without a warrant?

Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 , Section 41

When police may arrest without warrant.
(1) Any police officer may without an order from a Magistrate and without a war rant, arrest any person-
(a) Who has been concerned in any cognizable offence, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been made, or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion exists, of his having been so concerned; or

(b) Who has in his possession without lawful excuse, the burden of proving which excuse shall lie on such person, any implement of house-breaking; or

(c) Who has been proclaimed as an offender either under this Code or by order of the State Government; or

(d) In whose possession anything is found which may reasonably be suspected to be stolen property and who may reasonably be suspected of having committed an offence with reference to such thing; or

(e) Who obstructs a police officer while in the execution of his duty, or who has escaped, or attempts to escape, from lawful custody; or

(f) Who is reasonable suspected of being a deserter from any of the Armed Forces of the Union; or

(g) Who has been concerned in, or against whom a reasonable complaint has been made, or credible information has been received, or a reasonable suspicion exists, of his having been concerned in, any act committed at any place out of India which, if committed in India, would have been punishable as an offence, and for which lie is, under any law relating to extradition, or otherwise, liable to be apprehended or detained in custody in India; or

(h) Who, being a released convict, commits a breach of any rule made under subsection (5) of section 365; or

(i) For whose arrest any requisition, whether written or oral, has been received from another police officer, provided that the requisition specifies the person to be arrested and the offence or other cause for which the arrest is to be made and it appears there from that the person might lawfully be arrested without a warrant by the officer who issued the requisition.
(2) Any officer in charge of a police station may, in like manner, arrest or cause to be arrested any, person, belonging to one or more of the categories of person specified in section 109 or section 110.