eFIR and zero FIR under section 173 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and related laws, introduces several changes and new provisions for the criminal justice system in India. Among these are the concepts of eFIR and Zero FIR. Here’s an overview of these concepts:
e-FIR
eFIR refers to an electronic First Information Report. This system allows citizens to register complaints online without having to visit a police station physically. The introduction of eFIR aims to streamline the process of lodging complaints, improve accessibility, and ensure quicker response times. Key features include:
1. Accessibility: Citizens can file complaints from anywhere using the internet.
2. Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface for filing reports.
3. Transparency: Enhances the transparency of the complaint registration process.
4. Efficiency: Reduces the burden on physical police stations and speeds up the process.
Zero FIR
Zero FIR** is a concept that allows an FIR to be registered at any police station, irrespective of the place of incident or jurisdiction. The main features of Zero FIR include:
1. Jurisdiction Flexibility: It can be filed at any police station, regardless of where the crime occurred.
2. Immediate Action: Ensures that the police can take immediate action without jurisdictional delays.
3. Transfer Mechanism: The Zero FIR is transferred to the police station having jurisdiction over the location where the crime took place for further investigation.
Differences Between eFIR and Zero FIR
eFIR is focused on making the complaint registration process more accessible and digital, allowing people to file reports online.
Zero FIR addresses the jurisdictional issues in the filing process, ensuring that a complaint can be registered and acted upon immediately, even if it's outside the jurisdiction of the police station where it was filed.
Context in BNSS 2023
The BNSS 2023 aims to modernize and make the criminal justice system more citizen-friendly. By incorporating eFIR and Zero FIR, it seeks to:
- Enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the complaint registration process.
- Reduce delays in filing complaints and initiating investigations.
- Ensure that citizens have better and quicker access to justice.
These measures are part of a broader effort to reform the legal framework to meet contemporary needs and challenges.
