This article is written by Team LawSikho. This article discusses how to file an e-FIR
What is the need to file FIR online?
The basic motive for introducing online FIR is to help those victims who are not able to file the FIR at the nearby police station. It may sometimes be difficult for the victims to personally visit the police station and file FIR for reasons of living far from the police station, saving themselves from embarrassment or in cases where the bodily injury is such that the victim is unable to visit the police station. For such cases, the government has introduced e-FIR.
How can an online FIR be filed?
An e-FIR can be filed only for cognizable offenses such as murder, rape, dowry death, kidnap etc. where the police can make an arrest without warrant. For non-cognizable offences, even a complaint can be filed online.
The online system differs from state to state. Every state has a different pattern. In some states it is not present or in some state filing an online FIR can be done only in the cognizable cases.
Following are the details of the online FIR filing systems in some states:
Delhi
The online FIR can be filed on the Delhi Police Website www.delhipolice.nic.in
The home page itself provides various options for FIRs for motor vehicle theft and other theft and complaints about economic and cyber offences. It also enables retrieving filed FIRs and checking the status of the complaints.
Maharashtra
Online complaint can be filed here. Filed FIRs can be retrieved here.
West Bengal
The crime and criminal network tracking system for West Bengal is still under development.
Tamil Nadu
This state has provided the services by the name Citizens service: Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS). The information given by the complainant is kept confidential. The online complaint can be filed here. The filed FIRs can be retrieved here and the status of the FIRs can be checked here.
Madhya Pradesh
The online complaint can be filed here.
Himachal Pradesh
The online complaint can be filed after logging on to the citizens portal here. However, information can be submitted to the police here without logging in.
Haryana
Filed FIRs can be retrieved here. Information to the police can be provided here without logging in. The complaint can be registered after logging on to the citizens portal.
Jharkhand
They have named e-FIR system as Jharkhand Online FIR system (JOFS) and this can be found here. There is instant registration with Aadhar Card number. The portal also provides FIR status and facility for SMS / Email to complainants on any type of enquiry.
Orissa
The online FIR can be filed after logging into the citizen portal here. Filed FIRs can be retrieved here after logging on to the system.
