FIR Not Registered? MP Police Says Approach SP; Notice Boards Ordered At Every Police Station

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Individuals whose First Information Reports (FIRs) are not registered at local police stations can submit a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP), the Police Headquarters (PHQ) has announced, with all police stations across the state now displaying signs directing the public to this course of action.

The directive emerged following numerous complaints alleging police station in-charge officials were failing to register FIRs, forcing complainants to repeatedly seek assistance from multiple police officials. Should a station in-charge refuse to register an FIR, the aggrieved party can file a written complaint to the SP via post.

To raise public awareness of this right, PHQ has ordered installation of notice boards at every police station and SP office throughout the state, citing provisions from the Indian Civil Security Code. The CID of PHQ has instructed police commissioners in Bhopal and Indore, all SPs, and specialized units like Special Task Force (STF), Cyber, and CID to enforce the directive.

Under the new system, complainants will not have to repeatedly contact the station in-charge if their FIR is not registered. The notice boards aim to inform people visiting police stations about which officer to approach next. Furthermore, PHQ has directed compliance with new criminal law provisions regarding statement recording, ensuring elderly people over 60, women, disabled individuals, and those with serious illnesses will not be compelled to visit police stations or other locations to record statements.

Instead, statements will be documented at a location, date, and time convenient for such individuals. However, if a person voluntarily visits the police station and agrees to provide a statement, it can still be recorded there.