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:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct — Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023 codifies the Zero FIR concept: information relating to a cognizable offence can be registered at any police station irrespective of territorial jurisdiction and then transferred to the station having jurisdiction. Statement 2 is wrong — preliminary enquiry under Section 173(3) is permissible only for cognizable offences punishable with 3 to less than 7 years, and only with prior permission of an officer not below DSP; it is not a general feature tied specifically to Zero FIR. Statement 3 is wrong — electronic communication of information is permitted, not obligatory, and the informant must subsequently sign it within three days. Hence only 1 is correct.