Modalities On Online FIR Registration Be Left To States : Parliamentary Committee On New Criminal Procedure Code Bill

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its latest report, while reviewing the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill acknowledged the positive impact of allowing online registration of FIR. Accordingly, the Committee in its report recommended “There is a need to insert the words "as specified by rules" after "electronic communication" to grant the government the authority to prescribe specific modalities for electronic FIR registration.” Moreover, Clause 173 states “A copy of the information as recorded under sub-section shall be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant or the victim.” Acknowledging that in certain cases, the informant and victim may be distinct individuals, the Committee suggested inserting the words 'or both, as the case may be' after the existing phrase 'to the informant or the victim' in Clause 173. The Committee also drew attention to the Supreme Court's directions in the 'Youth Bar Association v. Union of India 2016 SCC OnLine SC 914 case which had issued directions for providing information to the accused. After this, a complaint number should be automatically generated so the complainant can track the FIR.” The Apex Court also played its part effectively by issuing directions to the States to upload every FIR registered in all the Police Stations within the territory of India on their official website in Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India AIR 2016 SC 4136