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Wondering how to file FIR online in Delhi? You can report many offences without visiting a police station. Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) allows information about a cognizable offence to be given by electronic communication, but you must sign it within three days for the FIR to be registered.
This guide explains which complaints Delhi Police accepts online, how the e-FIR and e-Zero FIR systems work, what to do for cyber fraud, and what to do if the police do not act.
Key takeaways
- Section 173(1) BNSS (old S. 154 CrPC) allows an FIR to be lodged by electronic communication.
- An online FIR is taken on record only after you sign it within 3 days.
- Delhi Police offers online e-FIR mainly for theft and motor vehicle theft where the accused is unknown.
- Cyber fraud: call 1930 or file on cybercrime.gov.in; losses above ₹10 lakh trigger an e-Zero FIR.
- You are entitled to a free copy of the FIR under Section 173(2) BNSS.
In this guide
What the law says about online FIRs
An FIR (First Information Report) is the first written record of a cognizable offence, that is, an offence where police can arrest without a warrant. Under the old Code of Criminal Procedure, information had to be given orally or in writing at the police station. Section 173(1) BNSS changed this. It allows information to be given orally or by electronic communication to the officer in charge of a police station.
There is one condition. Information received electronically is taken on record only when the person giving it signs it within three days. Until then, the online complaint is not treated as a full FIR. Many people miss this step and later find that no case was registered.
| Provision | What it covers | Old law |
|---|---|---|
| S. 173(1) BNSS | FIR orally or by electronic communication; Zero FIR anywhere | S. 154(1) CrPC |
| S. 173(2) BNSS | Free copy of the FIR to the informant | S. 154(2) CrPC |
| S. 173(3) BNSS | Preliminary enquiry for offences punishable with 3–7 years | New provision |
| S. 173(4) BNSS | Complaint to the Superintendent (DCP in Delhi) if FIR refused | S. 154(3) CrPC |
| S. 175(3) BNSS | Application to Magistrate to order investigation | S. 156(3) CrPC |
Which complaints can be filed online in Delhi?
Delhi Police runs an online e-FIR facility through its website and mobile app. It is designed mainly for property offences where the accused is not known, such as theft of a phone, wallet or other article, and motor vehicle theft. These FIRs are registered at a dedicated e-police station and sent to the local police station for investigation.
Serious offences, such as assault, cheating with a known accused, sexual offences, kidnapping or threats, are usually better reported in person. You can still send a written complaint by email or through the Delhi Police portal, but the station will call you to record your statement and sign the FIR.
| Situation | Best route |
|---|---|
| Phone, wallet or article stolen, accused unknown | Delhi Police e-FIR (website or app) |
| Car or two-wheeler stolen | Motor vehicle theft e-FIR |
| Lost document (not stolen) | Online Lost Report; no FIR needed |
| Online fraud, UPI scam, hacking | 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in |
| Assault, threats, sexual offences, cheating by a known person | Visit the police station; call 112 in an emergency |
Step-by-step: how to file an e-FIR in Delhi
- Open the official Delhi Police website or app and choose the e-FIR option for theft or vehicle theft.
- Register with your mobile number and verify the OTP.
- Enter your details, the place, date and time of the incident, and a clear description of the stolen property (IMEI number for phones, chassis and engine numbers for vehicles).
- Upload supporting documents, such as the purchase bill or the vehicle registration certificate.
- Submit the form and save the acknowledgement and FIR number sent by SMS or email.
- Download the FIR copy. For insurance claims, keep a printed copy with the case number.
- If the police call you for verification or to sign, visit within three days. The investigating officer will contact you for further steps.
Delhi Police normally closes theft e-FIRs as untraced if the property is not found within a set period and issues an untraced report, which insurers accept for claims. Keep checking your status online.
Cyber fraud: 1930, cybercrime.gov.in and e-Zero FIR
For online financial fraud, speed matters more than anything else. Call the national helpline 1930 as soon as you notice the fraud, or file on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in). Early reporting lets banks freeze the money before it moves on.
In May 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs launched the e-Zero FIR pilot in Delhi. Cyber financial fraud complaints above ₹10 lakh made on 1930 or the national portal are automatically registered as a Zero FIR at Delhi’s e-Crime police station and sent to the right cyber police station. You then have three days to visit that station and convert it into a regular FIR.
- Keep screenshots of messages, call logs, UPI IDs and transaction references.
- Note the exact time and amount of each transaction.
- Inform your bank in writing on the same day.
- Do not delete the fraudster’s messages or apps until the police have recorded them.
Zero FIR: filing at any police station
Section 173(1) BNSS now expressly says that information can be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. This is called a Zero FIR. If you are in Rohini but the theft happened in Saket, the Rohini police station must register it and transfer it to the station that has jurisdiction. Police cannot send you away on the ground of jurisdiction. Our full guide on zero FIR in Delhi explains the procedure, the transfer and what to do if the police refuse.
After filing: copy, preliminary enquiry and investigation
You are entitled to a free copy of the FIR under Section 173(2) BNSS. For offences punishable with three to seven years, police may hold a preliminary enquiry for up to 14 days under Section 173(3) BNSS to check whether a prima facie case exists. For other cognizable offences, they must register the FIR straight away.
Once registered, the investigating officer collects evidence and files a police report (charge sheet) under Section 193 BNSS. Our guide on what to do after an FIR in Delhi explains the next stages, and stages of a criminal case in Delhi covers the trial.
What if the police do not register your FIR?
If the police refuse to register a cognizable offence, send the complaint in writing to the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the district under Section 173(4) BNSS. If that fails, you can apply to the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS for a direction to investigate. Read our detailed guide on police not registering an FIR in Delhi for the full process and the documents to attach.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not signing the online complaint within three days, so it never becomes an FIR.
- Using e-FIR for serious offences that need a statement at the station.
- Giving vague descriptions without IMEI, chassis or bill details.
- Delaying cyber fraud reports beyond the first few hours.
- Exaggerating facts. Giving false information to police is an offence under Section 217 BNS (old S. 182 IPC).
How a criminal lawyer helps
Most theft e-FIRs need no lawyer. But where the police are reluctant, the offence is serious, or you may be named as an accused, legal advice early makes a difference. Criminal lawyers in Delhi can draft a precise complaint, follow up with the DCP, and move the Magistrate if needed. In our practice at Rohini Court, complaints that set out dates, amounts and documents in a clear sequence are registered far faster than general complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file an FIR online in Delhi?
Yes, for certain offences. Delhi Police accepts e-FIRs online mainly for theft and motor vehicle theft where the accused is unknown. For other offences you can send information electronically under Section 173(1) BNSS, but you must sign it within three days for it to be registered as an FIR.
How do I file a cyber fraud complaint in Delhi?
Call 1930 immediately or file on cybercrime.gov.in. Share transaction details and screenshots. If the loss is above ₹10 lakh, the complaint is automatically registered as an e-Zero FIR, and you must visit the cyber police station within three days to convert it into a regular FIR.
Is there any fee to file an FIR?
No. Registering an FIR is free, and the informant is entitled to a free copy of the FIR under Section 173(2) BNSS. Anyone asking for money to register an FIR is acting illegally, and you can complain to the DCP or the Delhi Police vigilance branch.
What is a Zero FIR?
A Zero FIR is an FIR registered at any police station, regardless of where the offence happened. Section 173(1) BNSS allows it. The station registers the case and transfers it to the police station with jurisdiction, so you are not sent from one station to another.
How do I check my FIR status in Delhi?
Use the FIR number and police station name on the Delhi Police website or app to view and download the FIR. You can also ask the investigating officer for updates. Some FIRs involving sexual offences or sensitive matters are not shown publicly.
What if my online complaint is not converted into an FIR?
Visit the police station and sign the complaint within three days. If police still refuse, complain in writing to the DCP under Section 173(4) BNSS and then apply to the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS.
Conclusion
Knowing how to file FIR online in Delhi saves time, but the three-day signature rule and the right channel matter. Use e-FIR for thefts, 1930 for cyber fraud, and the police station for serious offences.
Related guides and services
- Criminal Lawyers in Delhi
- Criminal Lawyer at Rohini Court
- FIR Quashing Lawyer in Delhi
- Police not registering an FIR in Delhi
- What to do after an FIR 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.
