The Zero FIR mechanism, now codified under the BNSS 2023, addresses a critical access-to-justice gap by allowing any police station to register a cognizable offence complaint regardless of territorial jurisdiction.
Under BNSS 2023, a Zero FIR can be lodged at any police station irrespective of where the offence occurred. The receiving station assigns a temporary zero number and transfers the FIR to the jurisdictionally competent station. This prevents the earlier practice of police refusing to register complaints citing territorial limits, which often caused critical delays in serious crimes like sexual assault or trafficking.
BNSS provisions permit a preliminary enquiry only for certain categories of offences carrying longer imprisonment thresholds, and only with prior permission from a competent authority. The officer-in-charge of the Zero FIR-receiving station does not independently initiate investigation; the substantive inquiry rests with the jurisdictionally correct station after transfer.
BNSS 2023 enables electronic registration of FIRs, expanding access for complainants. However, furnishing information electronically is a facilitative option, not an obligation. An informant retains the right to report in person, ensuring the mechanism remains inclusive for those without digital access.
Zero FIR operationalises the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by removing procedural barriers to justice. Its effectiveness depends on inter-station coordination protocols, time-bound transfer mandates, and accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse or deliberate delays in transfer.
Zero FIR strengthens citizen-centric policing by decoupling complaint registration from jurisdictional constraints. Realising its intent requires robust inter-station coordination, digital infrastructure, and supervisory oversight to prevent procedural delays from undermining substantive justice.
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