Online FIR in Delhi 2026 — How to File an e-FIR and a Zero FIR under the BNSS

A First Information Report is the information about a cognizable offence recorded by the officer in charge of a police station. Under the old Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 it was governed by Section 154; under the BNSS it is governed by Section 173. A cognizable offence is one in which the police can arrest without a warrant and start investigation without the Magistrate’s order — for example theft, robbery, cheating, criminal breach of trust, hurt and offences against women and children.

For a non-cognizable offence, the police only enter the substance of the information in a register and refer the informant to the Magistrate (Section 174 BNSS); they cannot investigate without the Magistrate’s order. This distinction decides whether you should file an FIR or a complaint before the Magistrate.

Section 173(1) now permits information to be given “orally or by electronic communication”. “Electronic communication” is defined in Section 2(1)(i) BNSS to include written, verbal, pictorial or video content transmitted by a telephone, mobile phone, computer or other electronic device. Where the information is given electronically, it shall be taken on record on being signed within three days by the person giving it. In practice, this means an online complaint is the start of the process — the informant must complete the signature formality within three days for it to be taken on record as the FIR.

Section 173(2) requires that a copy of the information as recorded be given forthwith and free of cost to the informant or the victim. Where a woman reports certain sexual offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 64 to 71, 74 to 79 and 124), the information is to be recorded by a woman police officer or any woman officer, with further safeguards for a victim who is mentally or physically disabled.

A Zero FIR is an FIR registered by a police station even though the offence was committed outside its area. The words “irrespective of the area where the offence is committed” in Section 173(1) now give this a statutory basis. The FIR is then sent to the police station that has jurisdiction for investigation. Even before the BNSS, the Supreme Court in Satvinder Kaur v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) (1999) held that a police officer cannot refuse to record an FIR merely because the crime was not committed within his station’s limits; he may forward it to the competent police station after recording it.

The Zero FIR is most useful for victims of offences committed while travelling, offences against women, and cyber frauds where the accused is in another State. It prevents the loss of time in the first hours after an offence.

The Delhi Police offers online services through its website and app. As described in the Delhi Police’s own “Best Practices” document, these include an e-FIR for motor vehicle theft (launched in April 2015), an e-FIR for theft of property (launched in February 2016), and an online Lost Report for lost documents and articles such as a passport, identity card, ration card or driving licence. A digitally signed copy of the e-FIR is sent to the informant’s e-mail. A Lost Report is not an FIR; it is a record of loss used for obtaining duplicate documents.

For cyber financial fraud, the complaint should be made immediately on the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in). The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 19 May 2025 an e-Zero FIR initiative, launched as a pilot in Delhi, under which complaints of cyber financial fraud above ₹10 lakh made on 1930 or the portal automatically lead to registration of a Zero FIR with Delhi’s e-Crime Police Station; the complainant then has three days to visit the cybercrime police station to convert it into a regular FIR. By a press release dated 30 October 2025, Delhi Police extended e-FIR registration to complaints of cyber financial fraud of ₹1 lakh or more with effect from 1 November 2025; the facility earlier applied to ₹10 lakh or more. A complainant can visit any police station, where the Integrated Help Desk registers the complaint and, where the amount is above ₹1 lakh, the e-FIR. Such e-FIRs are investigated like regular FIRs by the jurisdictional Cyber Police Stations, Crime Branch and IFSO (Source: Delhi Police press release, 30.10.2025; last updated on 1 October 2026). Check the current procedure on the official portal before relying on it.

Section 173(3) is new. For a cognizable offence punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, the officer in charge may, with the prior permission of an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and considering the nature and gravity of the offence, either conduct a preliminary enquiry within fourteen days to see whether a prima facie case exists, or proceed with investigation where a prima facie case exists. This is a limited exception; for offences outside this band the rule in Lalita Kumari — that registration is mandatory when a cognizable offence is disclosed — continues to guide the police.

Step 1 — Superintendent of Police. Under Section 173(4), a person aggrieved by the refusal may send the substance of the information in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police (in Delhi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the district performs this role). If satisfied that a cognizable offence is disclosed, the officer shall investigate himself or direct investigation by a subordinate officer.

Step 2 — Magistrate. If that fails, the aggrieved person may apply to the Magistrate. Under Section 175(3), the Magistrate may order investigation after considering the application supported by an affidavit, making such inquiry as he thinks necessary and considering the submission of the police officer. The affidavit requirement reflects the Supreme Court’s directions in Priyanka Srivastava v. State of U.P. (2015), and the sequence — police, then SP, then Magistrate — follows Sakiri Vasu v. State of U.P. (2007).

Caution. Giving false information or making a false charge is itself an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 217 and 248). An FIR should state facts as known, with dates, places and documents, and avoid exaggeration.