The Supreme Court directed all police departments in India on Wednesday to upload copies of first information reports on their official website within 24 hours, a move expected to make the legal system more transparent and people friendly.
The decision will protect the interests of the suspects and their families, putting a stop to corrupt practices by police, which often demand money to give copies of FIRs to the accused, experts said. The law mandates authorities to furnish the accused with a copy of the complaint.
A bench of justice Dipak Misra and justice C Nagappan clarified that FIRs related to cases of terror, insurgency, sexual offences and involving the right to privacy would not be uploaded. This decision, the court said, shall not be taken by an officer below the rank of deputy superintendent of police.
This is the second major direction on FIRs by the top court. A five-judge constitution bench had in November 2013 ordered mandatory registration of FIRs — without a preliminary inquiry — in case of serious offences such as murder and rape.
The SC said in case of an internet connectivity problem — such as in the Northeast or Jammu and Kashmir — the time to upload the FIR could be extended to 48-72 hours.
{{/usCountry}}The SC said in case of an internet connectivity problem — such as in the Northeast or Jammu and Kashmir — the time to upload the FIR could be extended to 48-72 hours.
{{/usCountry}}A failure on the part of the police to comply with the SC direction would not be cited as a ground to seek relief from trial courts. The order would come into effect from November 15.