Specimen First Information Report (FIR) -- Format and Filing Guide 2026

What Is an FIR?

A First Information Report (FIR) under Section 154 CrPC (Section 173 BNSS) is the document that sets the criminal law in motion. It is the first piece of information about a cognizable offence received by the police -- which they are OBLIGATED to record and investigate. The FIR is critical because: (a) it triggers police investigation, (b) it is used as evidence at trial, (c) it establishes the first version of events, (d) delay in filing FIR affects its evidentiary value. FIR is for COGNIZABLE offences only -- for non-cognizable offences, a criminal complaint is filed before the Magistrate.

Content of FIR

The FIR must contain: (a) name and address of the informant (person reporting), (b) date, time, and place of the offence, (c) facts and circumstances of the offence -- what happened, (d) names of accused (if known) or description, (e) names of witnesses (if known), (f) property involved (if any -- stolen goods, weapons), (g) injuries (if any -- description), (h) signature/thumb impression of the informant. The police officer records the FIR in the prescribed form at the police station -- reads it to the informant -- and obtains their signature.

Specimen FIR Format

[Illustrative -- what the informant presents to the police]

To: The Station House Officer (SHO), [Police Station Name], [City]

Subject: FIR for [type of offence -- theft/cheating/fraud/assault]

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, [Full Name], S/o [Father's Name], aged [Age], residing at [Full Address], hereby report the following offence:

1. Date and Time: [Date] at approximately [Time].

2. Place: [Exact location -- address, landmark].

3. Facts: [Detailed narration of what happened -- chronologically. Include: who did what, how, circumstances, any threats/violence used. Be as specific as possible -- "On [Date], the accused [Name] came to my [house/office] and [describe the act]. The accused [took/damaged/threatened] [describe]. I suffered [loss/injury of Rs. [Amount]/[nature]]."

4. Accused: [Name (if known), description (age, height, build, clothing), address, vehicle number (if relevant)].

5. Witnesses: [Names and contact details of any witnesses].

6. Property: [Description of stolen/damaged property -- make, model, value, distinguishing features].

7. Injuries: [If physical harm -- nature and extent].

I request that: (a) the above FIR be registered under the appropriate sections of IPC/BNS, (b) investigation be conducted, (c) the accused be apprehended.

Informant: [Name, Signature, Date] | Address: [Full address with phone number]

Police Obligations

Under Section 154(1): the police officer-in-charge MUST register the FIR if the information relates to a COGNIZABLE offence -- they CANNOT refuse. The officer: (a) records the information in writing, (b) reads it to the informant and obtains signature, (c) provides a FREE COPY of the FIR to the informant, (d) records the FIR in the General Diary/Station Diary, (e) begins INVESTIGATION immediately.

Remedy If Police Refuse

If the SHO refuses to register an FIR: (a) Section 154(3): Send a written complaint by POST to the Superintendent of Police (SP) -- the SP must either investigate or direct a subordinate to investigate. (b) Section 156(3) CrPC: Apply to the Magistrate to DIRECT the police to register the FIR and investigate. The Magistrate's direction is binding on the police. (c) File a complaint against the police officer for dereliction of duty. The Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of UP (2014) held: registration of FIR is MANDATORY if a cognizable offence is disclosed -- there is NO discretion to refuse.

Zero FIR and E-FIR

Zero FIR: An FIR can be registered at ANY police station regardless of where the offence occurred -- the "zero FIR" is transferred to the jurisdictional police station for investigation. This ensures immediate registration without jurisdictional delays. E-FIR: Many states now allow online FIR filing (e-FIR) for certain offences (theft, vehicle theft, lost property) -- through the state police website. The informant fills an online form and the FIR is automatically registered.