This article is written by Team LawSikho. This article discusses the difference between the General Diary Entry and an FIR.

A general diary (GD) entry or a daily diary entry is made when any kind of complaint is lodged and the police enter the details in their records. Thereafter, if the police believe that there is some prima facie evidence of a cognizable offense being committed, it is registered as an FIR.

If the complaint made is relating to a non-cognizable offense, the general diary entry will still be made, but thereafter, it will be entered into a non-cognizable report.

The general diary entry is, therefore, a stage prior to the FIR or non-cognizable report. The general diary entry is an internal police record, while in the case of FIR or non-cognizable report, a copy of these will be provided to the complainant.