Concept Of “Zero FIR” – You Can File An FIR Anywhere!
There is a concept of “Zero-FIR”. It means that a FIR can be filed in any police station (i.e.: irrespective of place of incident/jurisdiction) and the same can be later transferred to the appropriate Police Station. However policemen usually deny knowing about “Zero FIR” and direct the complainant to concerned Police Station.”
Concept of Zero FIR: Explained
Empowers police to proceed with a case where FIR has been filed within the territorial jurisdiction of a particular Police Station where the incident occurred.
So what about FIRs which fall outside the territorial jurisdiction of a particular Police Station?
Looking at the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code, if FIR is not filed within territorial jurisdiction of a concerned Police Station, the Station House-in-Charge (SHO) of that particular Police Station cannot proceed with further investigation of the case and the FIR should be filed with a Police Station which has territorial jurisdiction to act over the case. But practically it is not always possible to adhere to the exact wordings of Criminal Procedure Code
For example: If a person visits Police Station informing the police that his friend was murdered on the road (cognizable offence). Incidences like this require immediate action on part of the police (like collecting samples, getting information from eye witnesses, etc.); in such a situation police cannot excuse themselves saying that the case does not fall within their jurisdiction. This will hamper the very objective of the police force that is ‘to maintain law and order’. But at the same time it is mandatory to adhere to statutory regulations, so after investigation is over, if the Investigating Officer arrives at the conclusion that the cause of action for lodging the FIR has not arisen within his territorial jurisdiction, then he is required to submit a report and forward the case to the Magistrate empowered to take cognizance of the offence.
2010 CLC 258 Lahore.
0 comments:
Post a Comment