The country witnessed another Black day when A 26-year-old veterinary doctor was raped and burned to death by four men at Hyderabad’s Shadnagar. The alleged rape of the victim has yet again raised eyebrows about the safety of women in our country. The aftermath of the events has also showcased serious flaws within our police system. Reports alleged that the police delayed in registration of F.I.R. over jurisdiction issues. According to an official circular released by the Cyberabad Police Commissioner, three officers have been found guilty of “dereliction of duty” and all the officers were also instructed to implement the Zero F.I.R. policy strictly.
What is a Zero F.I.R.?
‘Zero F.I.R.’ is a
document that can be registered at any police station, in cases of any
cognizable offences, irrespective of its jurisdiction.
As per the rule,
an F.I.R. (First Information Report) is to be filed by a complainant, at any
police station having territorial jurisdiction over the matter. Following this, the F.I.R. receives a unique serial number pertaining to it.
However, in
the case of Zero F.I.R., the complainant may approach any police station, following
which the police have to register the F.I.R. but no serial number is given to
it. Such an F.I.R. shall then be forwarded to the correct police station where
after, a unique serial number shall be given to it, and the necessary
proceedings shall be initiated.
The
provision regarding Zero F.I.R. was brought forth by the recommendation of the Justice
Verma Committee Report, which sought many new changes in the criminal
law of the country after the horrific 2012 Nirbhaya Rape Case.
“In addition
to every individual being able to register an F.I.R. at any police station
irrespective of the jurisdiction in which the crime was complained of in
writing, every individual must also be able to register his complaint online on
a designated website. After this, a complaint number should be automatically generated
so the complainant can track the F.I.R.
The same
complaint would then be generated at the nearest police station and a copy
would also be provided to an ombudsman office located in every district. It
will still be the case that an F.I.R. cannot be registered anonymously and the
individual who has registered an F.I.R. online will then have to go to any
police station to verify his identity and the F.I.R.” (Fragments
from the report)
The
committee also pressed upon the importance of registration of F.I.R. through
Online media and suggested that a model be developed in this regard throughout
the country.
Section 166A of the Indian Penal Code-
Every now
and then the courts have come down heavily upon the police personnel that have been
negligent in registering F.I.R. and taken stringent actions against them.
However, In case of failure to register F.I.R. by a policeman, he shall be
eligible for imprisonment under section 166 A of the IPC.
As per
section 166 A, a public servant cannot refuse to record any
information that shall be provided to him under section 154(1) of The
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, in relation to any cognizable offence
which is punishable under sections 326A, 326, 354, 354B, 370, 370 A, 376,
376 A, 376 B, 376 C, 376 D, 376 E, or section 509.
Although
much recourse has been provided through the various laws, much still remains to
be done. The current law is not foolproof but it is necessary to know them so
that our great nation does not see another victim.
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