Criminal & Bail Law | Delhi

Zero FIR: What It Is and How to File One Outside Your Jurisdiction

Imagine someone is robbed while travelling through Delhi on a train that started in another state, or a woman is assaulted in a city where she is only visiting for work. In both situations, the natural instinct is to rush to the nearest police station — but many people still hesitate, worried the police will turn them away because "the crime didn't happen here." This is exactly the gap Zero FIR was designed to close, and understanding how it works can save critical time when reporting a crime quickly matters most.

What Is a Zero FIR? (Meaning Under BNSS)

A Zero FIR is a First Information Report registered at a police station that does not have territorial jurisdiction over the alleged offence. Instead of refusing the complaint and directing the person elsewhere, the officer on duty records the complaint immediately, assigns it the number "0," and forwards it to the police station with proper jurisdiction, where it is re-registered as a regular FIR with a standard serial number.

Zero FIR India-wide applies only to cognizable offences — those serious enough that police can investigate without needing prior magistrate approval. For non-cognizable offences, the process is different and generally requires the complainant to approach a magistrate under Section 174 BNSS.

Zero FIR vs Regular FIR: Key Differences

The core distinction in zero FIR vs regular FIR is jurisdiction at the point of filing, not the underlying legal weight of the complaint. Once transferred and re-registered, a Zero FIR carries exactly the same legal force as any other FIR.

Aspect	Zero FIR	Regular FIR
Where it can be filed	Any police station, regardless of jurisdiction	Only the police station with territorial jurisdiction over the offence
Initial numbering	Assigned "0" as a temporary number	Assigned a regular sequential FIR number immediately
Next step	Transferred to the jurisdictional police station for re-registration	Investigation begins directly at the same station
Governing provision	Section 173(1), BNSS, 2023	Section 173(1), BNSS, 2023 (formerly Section 154 CrPC)
Legal validity once transferred	Identical to a regular FIR	Full legal validity from the outset

Why Was Zero FIR Introduced in India?

Zero FIR traces back to the Justice Verma Committee, formed after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case, which recommended that no police station should refuse to register a complaint on the ground of territorial jurisdiction. The Ministry of Home Affairs followed with a 2015 advisory encouraging Zero FIRs, particularly for crimes against women, even before the concept had direct statutory backing. The Supreme Court had earlier reinforced the same principle in State of A.P. v. Punati Ramulu, holding that police officers must record information about a cognizable offence and forward it appropriately rather than turning a complainant away. As of 2026, this long-standing practice is now written directly into Section 173(1) of the BNSS, giving it clear statutory force for the first time.

When Should You File a Zero FIR?

A Zero FIR is the right option whenever a cognizable offence has occurred outside the jurisdiction of the police station nearest to the complainant, and waiting to travel to the correct station would delay urgent action. Common situations include:

• A crime committed while travelling — on a train, highway, or in a city other than where the complainant lives.
• An assault or theft occurring in a different district or state from where the victim currently is.
• Cases involving women's safety, where immediate medical examination or evidence preservation cannot wait for a jurisdictional transfer.
• Situations where the complainant is unsure exactly which police station has jurisdiction and needs to report the matter without delay.

How to File a Zero FIR: Step-by-Step Process

Knowing how to file Zero FIR correctly helps avoid delays once the complaint reaches the jurisdictional station. The process generally follows these steps:

1. Approach any police station. Go to the nearest police station, even if it is not where the offence took place.
2. Provide the details clearly. State what happened, when, and — as precisely as possible — where the offence occurred, since this determines which station the case will later be transferred to.
3. Insist on registration if the offence is cognizable. The officer on duty is statutorily required to record the complaint under Section 173(1) BNSS rather than redirect the complainant elsewhere.
4. Confirm the "0" numbering. Check that the FIR copy given to you reflects the Zero FIR number, and note the police station where it was originally filed.
5. Obtain a free copy of the FIR. Every complainant is entitled to a copy of the FIR at no cost, which is important for follow-up and for any legal consultation afterward.
6. Track the transfer. The Zero FIR is forwarded to the police station with proper jurisdiction, where it is re-registered with a regular FIR number and assigned an investigating officer.

What Happens After a Zero FIR Is Filed?

Once registered, the originating police station forwards the Zero FIR — along with any preliminary evidence or statements already recorded — to the police station that has territorial jurisdiction over the offence. That station re-registers the complaint as a standard FIR with its own serial number and assigns an investigating officer to take the case forward. In urgent situations, such as those involving injury or a need for immediate medical examination, the originating station is generally expected to take necessary preliminary steps — like arranging medical attention — before or during the transfer process, so that time-sensitive evidence is not lost.

Can Police Refuse to Register a Zero FIR?

Police cannot lawfully refuse to record a complaint about a cognizable offence merely because the offence occurred outside that station's jurisdiction. If an officer declines to register a Zero FIR, the complainant has several recourse options:

1. Request to meet or escalate the matter to the Station House Officer directly.
2. Send the substance of the complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police or an equivalent senior officer.
3. Approach a magistrate, who can direct the police to register and investigate the complaint under the relevant BNSS provisions governing a magistrate's power to order investigation.
4. File the complaint through the Delhi Police e-FIR portal or a similar state portal, where available, as an alternative route to in-person registration.

Practitioners have also flagged a technical nuance worth knowing: while Section 173(1) BNSS clearly establishes the right to file at any police station, the express obligation to transfer the Zero FIR onward is drawn more from established practice and departmental guidelines than from explicit wording in Section 173 itself. In practical terms, this rarely changes the outcome for a complainant, but it is a reason to keep a copy of the FIR and follow up if the transfer appears delayed.

Zero FIR in Delhi: What to Expect

Delhi's police stations, including those attached to the Tis Hazari, Karkardooma, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka, and Patiala House court complexes, regularly handle Zero FIRs, particularly given Delhi's role as a transit and commuter hub for the National Capital Region. A complaint about an offence that occurred in Gurugram or Noida, for instance, can still be registered at a Delhi police station under the Zero FIR process, and vice versa. Readers dealing with an active Zero FIR situation in Delhi may find it useful to review AM Legal's criminal lawyer services in Delhi page for guidance on what typically follows after a complaint is transferred and re-registered.

Zero FIR for Women's Safety and Sensitive Cases

Zero FIR remains especially significant in cases involving crimes against women, given its origin in the Justice Verma Committee's recommendations following the 2012 Delhi case. In matters involving sexual assault or other offences requiring urgent medical examination, filing a Zero FIR at the nearest police station — rather than losing time locating the "correct" station — can directly affect the quality of evidence collected and the support available to the victim in the earliest hours after the incident.

Zero FIR vs E-FIR: Are They the Same?

No. Zero FIR and e-FIR solve different problems, though both now sit within Section 173 BNSS. A Zero FIR addresses jurisdiction — it lets a complainant report at any police station regardless of where the offence occurred. An e-FIR addresses the mode of filing — it allows a complaint to be submitted electronically, through an online portal or similar system, rather than in person. Under Section 173(1) BNSS, an e-FIR must still be signed by the informant at the police station within three days for it to be validly recorded. A single complaint can, in principle, involve both concepts — for example, an electronically filed report about an offence that occurred outside the receiving station's jurisdiction.

What If the Zero FIR Process Goes Wrong?

Occasionally, complainants face delays in transfer, confusion over which station now holds the case, or difficulty getting a copy of the re-registered FIR. In such situations, consulting a lawyer early can help track the file through the system and, where necessary, approach a magistrate to ensure the investigation proceeds without unnecessary delay. Advocate Anant Mishra at AM Legal, based near Hudson Lane, GTB Nagar, Delhi 110009, regularly assists clients in Delhi with exactly this kind of follow-up once a Zero FIR has been filed, helping confirm the case has been properly transferred and an investigating officer assigned.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more on how criminal complaints proceed once registered, visit AM Legal's homepage or read about Advocate Anant Mishra's practice in Delhi's criminal courts.

This article is for general legal information only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult Advocate Anant Mishra for advice specific to your case.