Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct?
- A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.
- The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.
- Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Zero FIR rests on Section 173(1) of the BNSS, 2023, which lets information about a cognizable offence be given to an officer in charge of a police station irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. Statement 1 is incorrect: it stretches this to non-cognizable offences, which Section 173 does not cover. Statement 2 is correct: under Section 173(3), for a cognizable offence punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, the officer in charge may, with prior permission from an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, hold a preliminary enquiry within 14 days to see whether a prima facie case exists. The power applies to information received under Section 173, Zero FIR included. Statement 3 is incorrect: information may be given orally or by electronic communication; the electronic route is an option, not an obligation, and such information must be signed by the informant within three days. Hence 2 only. Source: BNSS, 2023, Section 173.