In short: A zero FIR under the BNSS India framework allows you to lodge a First Information Report at any police station, even if that station has no jurisdiction over the crime. The station must then transfer the FIR to the correct jurisdiction promptly. This right is now expressly codified in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
Key points
- A zero FIR is numbered “0” at the receiving station and transferred to the jurisdictionally competent police station, which assigns it a regular number and investigates it.
- Section 173 of the BNSS expressly requires any police station to record an FIR for a cognisable offence, regardless of jurisdiction — this is the statutory basis for zero FIRs from 1 July 2024.
- Before the BNSS, zero FIRs were recognised by Supreme Court directions and Ministry of Home Affairs advisories but were not explicitly written into the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC).
- Refusing to register a zero FIR is an offence under the BNSS; a victim can approach the Superintendent of Police or a Magistrate if a station refuses.
- Zero FIRs are especially important in emergencies — for example, accidents, sexual assault, or kidnapping — where going to the “right” station first could waste critical time.
- The BNSS also permits e-FIRs for certain offences, giving victims a second digital avenue if a station is uncooperative.
What is a zero FIR?
An FIR (First Information Report) is the first step in setting the criminal law in motion. Normally, an FIR is registered at the police station whose territorial jurisdiction covers the place where the crime happened.
A zero FIR removes that barrier. It lets you walk into any police station in India and demand that your complaint be recorded immediately — even if the crime happened in a completely different city, district, or state.
The station that receives the complaint assigns it a temporary serial number of “zero” (hence the name) and forwards the written report to the station that actually has jurisdiction. That station then registers it with a proper number and begins the investigation.
How did zero FIRs exist before the BNSS?
Under the old Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), the practice grew out of Supreme Court rulings and executive guidelines rather than a specific statutory provision. Courts repeatedly held that police cannot refuse to record a cognisable offence merely because it falls outside their territory.
The Justice Verma Committee Report (2013), which followed the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape case, specifically recommended codifying zero FIRs to protect sexual assault survivors. The recommendation was implemented administratively at the time but not written into the CrPC itself.
The BNSS, which replaced the CrPC from 1 July 2024, changed this by putting the obligation squarely in statutory text.
Which section of the BNSS covers zero FIRs?
Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) deals with the procedure for recording information about cognisable offences. It is the counterpart of Section 154 of the old CrPC.
Under Section 173 BNSS, the officer in charge of a police station is required to record the information even when the offence has been committed outside that station’s local jurisdiction. The station must then send the report to the police station having jurisdiction without delay.
This makes the zero FIR a statutory right under Indian law for the first time, rather than merely a court-recognised practice.
Old CrPC vs new BNSS: quick comparison
| Feature | CrPC 1973 (repealed) | BNSS 2023 (in force from 1 July 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| FIR for cognisable offence | Section 154 | Section 173 |
| Zero FIR expressly in statute? | No — court/guideline-based only | Yes — Section 173 explicitly provides for it |
| E-FIR option | Limited/informal pilot schemes | Expressly recognised under BNSS |
| Remedy if station refuses | Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC | SP complaint or Magistrate under BNSS equivalent provisions |
Step-by-step: how to file a zero FIR under the BNSS
Step 1 — Go to the nearest police station
You do not need to travel to the station with jurisdiction. Walk into the nearest station and state that you want to register a zero FIR for a cognisable offence.
Step 2 — Give your information in writing (or orally)
The officer must reduce your information to writing and read it back to you. Sign or thumb-mark it. Ask for a copy — you are entitled to one free of charge under the BNSS.
Step 3 — The station records it as “0”
The FIR is entered in the station’s register with the serial number zero. This is its identity until it reaches the competent station.
Step 4 — Transfer to the jurisdictional station
The receiving station is required to forward the zero FIR to the police station that covers the crime location without undue delay. That station assigns a regular FIR number and takes over the investigation.
Step 5 — Follow up and preserve your copy
Keep both the zero FIR copy and the regular FIR number once communicated to you. These are critical documents if you need to approach a court later.
What if the police refuse to register a zero FIR?
Refusal is unlawful. You have several options under the BNSS framework.
First, you can approach the Superintendent of Police (SP) of that district, in writing. The SP has the power to direct that the FIR be recorded.
Second, you can approach the Magistrate, who can direct the police to register the FIR and investigate — equivalent to the old Section 156(3) CrPC mechanism, now carried over into the BNSS.
Third, for sexual offences, the BNSS builds in additional safeguards. If a victim of rape or a similar offence approaches a station outside its jurisdiction, the duty to record is especially firm.
For a broader overview of your rights when dealing with the police, see our plain-language guides in the Law for You hub, which cover topics from police powers to bail rights.
When is a zero FIR most useful?
Zero FIRs matter most when time is critical. Common situations include road accidents where the injured person is hospitalised far from the crime scene, sexual assault or domestic violence where the survivor is in a shelter in a different area, kidnapping and trafficking cases where children or persons are moved across districts quickly, and crimes committed during travel on trains, buses, or aircraft.
In each of these situations, having to travel to the “right” station before anything is recorded could allow evidence to disappear and perpetrators to escape.
Frequently asked questions
Is a zero FIR the same as a regular FIR?
A zero FIR starts as a temporary record with serial number zero at the receiving station. Once transferred to the jurisdictionally correct station, it becomes a regular, numbered FIR with full legal effect. The initial zero FIR copy you receive is equally valid for any immediate legal steps you need to take, such as seeking medical examination or approaching a court.
Can I file a zero FIR online under the BNSS?
The BNSS expressly recognises e-FIRs, and many states have launched online FIR portals. However, the specific offences eligible for e-FIR registration, and the process for electronic zero FIRs, vary by state. Check your state police website or the National Crime Records Bureau portal for the current facility available in your state, and verify against the BNSS provisions on the India Code website.
What happens if the police station that receives the zero FIR delays transferring it?
Undue delay in transferring a zero FIR can be challenged. You can send a written complaint to the SP of the district, approach the jurisdictional Magistrate, or file a complaint with the State Human Rights Commission if your rights have been violated. Keep a copy of the zero FIR, and note the date and time it was registered, as these details will support any complaint about delay.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; verify against the primary sources cited and consult a qualified advocate for your situation.
