How to file an FIR

An FIR is the first incident report that one submits once an offense has been committed.

• When one approaches the police station one is likely to be addressed by the duty officer/ officer-in-charge of the police station for the FIR to be registered. 
• At that time the duty officer will ask to give information regarding the alleged offense. 
• One can choose to verbally dictate the incident to the officer or choose to submit the required information/details in writing. 
• If a verbal statement is given then the police officer would write it down.
• The officer will make an entry of the complaint in the daily diary/general diary.
• For written complaints it has to be made sure that two copies are furnished: one for the officer and one for the complainant.
• Both the copies of the written complaint should be stamped, complainant should keep one copy. The stamp would bear a daily diary number or DD No. 
• The DD No. is proof that the complaint has been registered.
• It is important that FIR number, date of the FIR and the name of the police station is noted down.
• Once registered the officer will read out details of the case to confirm that information is correct.
• They will then ask to sign the FIR.
• It is to be made sure the following details are part of the FIR: the date and time of the incident along with the identity of the accused in.
• It is not important that one has all the information about the crime so as to register an FIR, but it is crucial that you give all the information that is available to the police.