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A zero FIR in Delhi is a First Information Report that any police station must register for a cognizable offence, even if the crime took place in another police station’s area, district or state. Under Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the station records the FIR, gives you a free copy, and then sends it to the police station that has jurisdiction for investigation.
Key takeaways
- Zero FIR now has a statutory basis in Section 173(1) BNSS (old Section 154 CrPC), which applies “irrespective of the area where the offence is committed”.
- The police cannot refuse to register an FIR only because the offence happened outside their area.
- You are entitled to a free copy of the FIR under Section 173(2) BNSS.
- Information sent electronically is taken on record once you sign it within three days.
- In Delhi, cyber financial fraud above ₹10 lakh reported on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in is converted into an e-Zero FIR.
In this guide
What is a zero FIR?
An FIR is the first formal record of a cognizable offence. A cognizable offence is one where the police can arrest without a warrant, such as theft, assault, rape, cheating or kidnapping.
Normally, the FIR is filed at the police station covering the place of the crime. A zero FIR breaks that rule. It is registered at whichever station you approach first. It gets the number “0” (or a separate serial) because it is not part of that station’s own crime register. The station then transfers it to the correct station, which re-registers it with a regular FIR number.
The idea grew out of the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations after the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape case. For a decade it worked through government advisories. Since 1 July 2024, it is written into the BNSS itself.
The law: zero FIR under Section 173 BNSS
Section 173 BNSS replaced Section 154 CrPC. Its main features are below.
| Provision | What it says | Old law |
|---|---|---|
| S. 173(1) BNSS | Information of a cognizable offence may be given at any station, irrespective of where the offence was committed, orally or by electronic communication | S. 154(1) CrPC (no express jurisdiction clause) |
| S. 173(1)(ii) BNSS | Electronic information is taken on record once signed by the informant within three days | No equivalent |
| S. 173(2) BNSS | Free copy of the recorded information to the informant or victim | S. 154(2) CrPC |
| S. 173(3) BNSS | For offences punishable with 3 to 7 years, a preliminary enquiry may be held with a DSP-rank officer’s permission, to be completed within 14 days | No equivalent |
| S. 173(4) BNSS | If the station refuses, send the complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police (in Delhi, the DCP) | S. 154(3) CrPC |
| S. 175(3) BNSS | Magistrate can order investigation after an application to the SP has been made | S. 156(3) CrPC |
The Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2014) held that registering an FIR is mandatory when the information discloses a cognizable offence. Section 173 BNSS builds on that rule. The Kerala High Court has also held that police cannot refuse an FIR merely because part of the offence happened outside their limits.
When should you file a zero FIR?
A zero FIR is useful whenever time matters more than the correct station. Common situations include:
- Sexual offences and offences against women, where evidence and medical examination cannot wait.
- Accidents, assaults or kidnapping while travelling between states.
- Crimes noticed after you return home, such as a theft on a train or a cheating that began elsewhere.
- Cyber fraud, where quick reporting helps freeze money in the fraudster’s account.
- Cases where you do not know which station covers the spot.
A zero FIR is only for cognizable offences. For non-cognizable matters, such as simple insult or most minor hurt, the police record a non-cognizable report under Section 174 BNSS instead.
How to file a zero FIR in Delhi: step by step
- Go to the nearest police station. Any station in Delhi will do. In an emergency, call 112 first.
- Give your account to the duty officer. Say clearly when, where and how the offence happened, who was involved, and any witnesses. Ask that it be registered as a zero FIR under Section 173(1) BNSS.
- Women complainants: for sexual and related offences, the information should be recorded by a woman police officer.
- Read the FIR before you sign. Check names, dates, place and the sequence of events. Ask for corrections before signing.
- Take your free copy. Note the FIR number, date, station and the sections applied.
- Ask about the transfer. Find out which station it will go to and note the duty officer’s name.
- Follow up. Check with the receiving station for the new FIR number and the investigating officer’s details.
Documents and details to carry
| Item | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and address proof | Identifies the informant |
| Written complaint (signed) | Keeps your account accurate and complete |
| Photos, videos, screenshots, chats | Early evidence before it is lost or deleted |
| Bank statements and transaction IDs (fraud cases) | Needed to trace and freeze money |
| Medical papers or MLC (injury cases) | Supports the nature of injuries |
| Names and phone numbers of witnesses | Lets the IO record statements quickly |
e-Zero FIR in Delhi for cyber fraud
In May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs launched an e-Zero FIR pilot in Delhi through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). Complaints of cyber financial fraud above ₹10 lakh made on helpline 1930 or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal automatically become a zero FIR at Delhi’s e-Crime police station. The complainant must visit the cybercrime police station within three days to convert it into a regular FIR.
For smaller frauds, still report on 1930 at once. Then file a written complaint at the local station or district cyber police station. If your account has been frozen in someone else’s cyber complaint, see our guide on a bank account frozen by the cyber cell in Delhi.
Delhi Police also offers online e-FIR for certain theft cases where the accused is unknown. Our guide on filing an FIR online in Delhi explains that route.
What happens after a zero FIR is filed?
The registering station may take urgent steps first, such as sending the victim for medical examination or securing CCTV footage. It then forwards the FIR and papers to the station with jurisdiction. That station re-registers it with a regular number and appoints an investigating officer.
| Stage | Who acts |
|---|---|
| Registration and free copy | Station you approached |
| Urgent steps (medical, evidence) | Station you approached |
| Transfer of FIR and papers | Station you approached |
| Re-registration with regular number | Jurisdictional station |
| Investigation and chargesheet | Jurisdictional station |
A practical point from Delhi: some stations make only a DD (daily diary) entry and call it “your complaint”. A DD entry is not an FIR. Ask for the FIR number. Delhi Police generally uploads FIRs on its website, except in sensitive cases, so you can also check there. Once you have the regular FIR, our guide on what to do after an FIR in Delhi covers the next steps.
What if the police refuse to register a zero FIR?
- Write to the DCP. Send the complaint by post or email to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the district under Section 173(4) BNSS. Keep proof of sending.
- Approach the Magistrate. If nothing happens, file an application under Section 175(3) BNSS before the Judicial Magistrate, with an affidavit and proof of your complaint to the DCP.
- Consider the High Court. In serious or urgent cases, a writ petition may be filed in the Delhi High Court.
An officer who fails to record information about certain offences against women can be punished under Section 199(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (old Section 166A IPC). Our guide on police not registering an FIR in Delhi explains these remedies in detail.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting to find the “right” station while evidence disappears.
- Signing an FIR without reading it, or leaving out key facts.
- Not taking the free copy or noting the FIR number.
- Forgetting to sign an electronic complaint within three days.
- Treating a DD entry or a complaint receipt as an FIR.
- Not following up with the receiving station after transfer.
How a lawyer can help
Most people can file a zero FIR on their own. Legal help is useful when the police refuse, when the facts involve several states, or when you are named as an accused in a zero FIR filed elsewhere. Experienced criminal lawyers in Delhi can draft the complaint, move the DCP and the Magistrate, and seek anticipatory bail or FIR quashing where the case is false. For advice specific to your situation, you may consult a qualified advocate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a zero FIR?
A zero FIR is an FIR registered at any police station for a cognizable offence, regardless of where the crime took place. The station records it, gives the informant a free copy and transfers it to the police station with jurisdiction, which re-registers it with a regular number and investigates the case.
Which section of BNSS deals with zero FIR?
Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 deals with zero FIR. It allows information about a cognizable offence to be given at any station irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. It replaced Section 154 of the CrPC from 1 July 2024.
Can the police refuse to register a zero FIR?
No. If the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police cannot refuse an FIR only because the crime happened outside their area. If they refuse, you can send the complaint to the DCP under Section 173(4) BNSS and then approach the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS.
Can I file a zero FIR online in Delhi?
Yes, in some cases. Cyber financial fraud above ₹10 lakh reported on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in becomes an e-Zero FIR in Delhi. Information sent electronically under Section 173 BNSS is taken on record once you sign it within three days. Delhi Police also allows e-FIR for certain theft cases.
Who investigates a zero FIR?
The police station that has jurisdiction over the place of the offence investigates. The registering station may take urgent steps such as a medical examination or securing evidence, but it then transfers the FIR. The receiving station re-registers it, appoints an investigating officer and files the final report.
Can a zero FIR be filed for a non-cognizable offence?
No. A zero FIR applies only to cognizable offences, where police can arrest without a warrant. For non-cognizable offences, the police record the information under Section 174 BNSS and refer the informant to the Magistrate, who can permit an investigation.
Conclusion
A zero FIR in Delhi lets you report a cognizable crime at the nearest police station without arguing about jurisdiction. File early, read the FIR before signing, take your free copy and follow up until the jurisdictional station gives a regular FIR number.
This guide was prepared with reference to Sections 173 to 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, available on India Code. Check the current practice of the police station concerned.
Related guides and services
- Criminal Lawyers in Delhi
- FIR Quashing Lawyer in Delhi
- Bail Lawyer in Delhi
- Police not registering FIR in Delhi: what to do
- How to file an FIR online in Delhi
Written and reviewed by Advocate Shubham Mehta
Advocate, Bar Council of Delhi (Enrl. No. D/6398/2021), and head of SRLM Law Associates. He practises before Rohini Courts, other Delhi District Courts, Family Courts, consumer commissions and the Delhi High Court. More about the firm
Speak to SRLM Law Associates
For advice specific to your situation, you may consult a qualified advocate. Advocate Shubham Mehta and the SRLM Law Associates team can be reached at +91 92052 74745 or [email protected]. Chamber: 1310, Lawyer’s Chamber Block, Rohini Courts, Delhi – 110085. Office: 250, Kayan Vihar, Delhi – 110033. Open daily, 9 am – 9 pm. See our Google reviews and directions.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice.
