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—guide:applicant:application:sample:fir [2026/07/03 01:56] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(FIR RTI sample,FIR copy RTI,charge sheet RTI,closure report RTI,Section 154 CrPC,BNSS Section 173,Lalita Kumari 2014,FIR not registered,Section 156(3) CrPC)
 +metatag-title=(Sample RTI for FIR Charge Sheet Closure Report India 2026)&metatag-description=(FIR not registered or copy denied? Free RTI to SP/CP. Sample letter, Section 156 3 CrPC route, Lalita Kumari 2014 ruling. 2026 citizen guide.)}}
 +
 +====== Sample RTI for FIR, charge-sheet, closure report: 2026 ======
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 100%>
 +**Quick answer.** Police refusing to register your FIR, or denying you a copy of your registered FIR / charge-sheet / closure report? File a free RTI to the **Public Information Officer of the Superintendent of Police (rural) or Commissioner of Police (urban)**. The PIO must reply in **30 days** under **§7(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005** with the file movement, the investigating officer's noting, and certified copies of the FIR / charge-sheet / closure report. Fee: **₹10** (BPL: zero). For non-registration of FIR, the constitutional remedy is a complaint under **§156(3) of the CrPC** (now **§175(3) of the BNSS, 2023**) to the **Magistrate of First Class**. Sample letter, *Lalita Kumari* (2014) Constitution Bench precedent, real recovery case below.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +<WRAP center round info 100%>
 +**FIR RTI: at a glance**
 +
 +^  ⏰ FIR registration  ^  ⏰ RTI reply  ^  💸 RTI fee  ^  🏛 Right office  ^
 +|  **Same day** -- mandatory under Lalita Kumari 2014  |  **30 days** -- Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005  |  **₹10** -- state authority (BPL = 0)  |  **SP / CP PIO** -- + Magistrate for §156(3)  |
 +
 +**Process flow:** ① File complaint at police station → ② If FIR not registered, escalate to SP → ③ If still refused, file §156(3) CrPC complaint to Magistrate → ④ Parallel RTI for status → ⑤ §19(1) First Appeal if RTI delayed
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== What an FIR is: in 50 words =====
 +
 +A **First Information Report (FIR)** is the formal record of a cognizable offence under **§154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973** (now **§173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023** in force from 1 July 2024). The police are bound to register an FIR; non-registration is itself an offence.
 +
 +===== Legal position in India =====
 +
 +  * **§154 CrPC 1973 / §173 BNSS 2023**: every cognizable offence MUST be registered as an FIR. Mandatory. **Lalita Kumari v. State of UP** (2014) 2 SCC 1: Constitution Bench: registration is mandatory; preliminary enquiry only in 7 specified categories.
 +  * **§156(3) CrPC / §175(3) BNSS**: if police refuse, the citizen can directly approach the **Magistrate of First Class** with a written complaint. The Magistrate can direct registration + investigation.
 +  * **§173(2) CrPC / §193 BNSS**: charge-sheet must be filed in 60 / 90 days (depending on offence severity). Closure report = "B-summary" (cause unknown) or "C-summary" (false complaint).
 +  * **Public-authority status**: every State Police Department is a public authority under **§2(h) of the RTI Act**. State RTI Rules apply.
 +
 +===== Why your FIR / charge-sheet is stuck: 8 common reasons =====
 +
 +  - **Police refusing to register**: most common. Cited as "preliminary enquiry needed" or "wrong jurisdiction".
 +  - **Wrong jurisdiction**: police-station boundaries; the actual incident is in another PS area.
 +  - **Investigating officer transferred**: file lying with SHO awaiting reassignment.
 +  - **Charge-sheet pending forensic / postmortem report**: file in "investigation in progress".
 +  - **B-summary / closure being applied for without notice to you**: you have a right to be heard before B-summary is accepted by Magistrate.
 +  - **Complainant copy delayed**: even though FIR is registered, the certified copy is not given to you.
 +  - **High-profile case**: politically sensitive matters get stalled.
 +  - **Bribe expectation**: rare but real. RTI surfaces the file movement.
 +
 +===== Real-life case: Sneha's FIR registered after 14-day stalemate =====
 +
 +<WRAP center round box 80%>
 +**Sneha Verma, 34, schoolteacher in Lucknow.** Cyber-fraud: **₹68,000 lost** through a fake delivery-OTP scam in February 2025. She visited her local police station the same day. The SHO refused to register an FIR saying "this is not jurisdiction; go to Cyber Cell". She went to the Cyber Cell: they said "Cyber Cell registers under §66/§66C IT Act; this is fraud, your local PS is jurisdiction". A 14-day stalemate. The bank account where her money went was almost emptied.
 +
 +On **18 February 2025** Sneha filed:
 +
 +  - **§156(3) complaint** to the **Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow** under §156(3) CrPC + §66/§66C of the IT Act, with all evidence (call recordings, bank statement, phone-tower data).
 +  - **Parallel RTI** to **PIO, Office of Commissioner of Police, Lucknow** for: (a) the precise jurisdiction rule between Cyber Cell and local PS for fraud above ₹50,000, (b) the noting on her application of 4 February.
 +  - **Parallel RTI** to **PIO, State Cyber Cell, UP** for: (a) the SOP for fraud cases above ₹50,000, (b) why her case was bounced back.
 +
 +**Result.** Magistrate's order of **22 February** directed the local PS to register FIR (Lalita Kumari mandatory). FIR registered same day under §66/§66C IT Act + §420 IPC (now §316 BNS). RTI replies (received Day 28 + Day 30) confirmed: under **UP Police Circular No 14/2022**, fraud above ₹50,000 is **local PS jurisdiction**, NOT Cyber Cell. The Cyber Cell had been wrongly bouncing back. **₹52,000 traced + recovered** through the RTI-attested file movement.
 +
 +**Total cost**: ₹124 (two RTIs × ₹62) + ₹500 court fee. **Time to FIR**: 14 days from §156(3) filing.
 +
 +: Sneha, March 2025
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Step-by-step: how to file an RTI for FIR matters =====
 +
 +  - **Step 1: Locate your complaint.** Date filed, PS name, complaint reference (or just the date if no number was given).
 +  - **Step 2: Identify the right office.** SP (rural districts) / CP (urban / metro). State Cyber Cell for cyber fraud above the local-PS threshold.
 +  - **Step 3: Draft the RTI.** Use the [[#sample-rti|sample below]]. Include incident date, PS visited, complaint reference (if any).
 +  - **Step 4: File parallel §156(3) complaint** if FIR not registered. This is NOT an RTI: it is a CrPC / BNSS complaint to the Magistrate. RTI runs in parallel.
 +  - **Step 5: Wait 30 days for RTI.** Use the reply at the §156(3) hearing.
 +  - **Step 6: Escalate.** §19(1) First Appeal in 30 days for the RTI side. Magistrate's order for the FIR side.
 +
 +===== Sample RTI letter: copy and adapt =====
 +
 +<code>
 +To,
 +The Public Information Officer,
 +Office of the Commissioner of Police / Superintendent of Police,
 +[District / City], [State]
 +
 +Subject: Application under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 -
 +       Status of complaint dated [DD-MM-YYYY] / FIR no [XXX]
 +
 +Date: [DD Month YYYY]
 +
 +Sir / Madam,
 +
 +1. I, [Your full name], a citizen of India residing at [address], am filing
 +   this application under Section 6(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 seeking the
 +   following records:
 +
 +       Complaint dated   : [DD/MM/YYYY] (filed at PS [name])
 +       FIR / DD number   : [if registered, the number]
 +       Type              : [FIR registration / FIR copy / Charge-sheet /
 +                            Closure report / B-summary objection]
 +
 +2. Information sought:
 +
 +   (a) Current status of my complaint as on date of reply, with date of last
 +       action and the date when each next step is expected.
 +
 +   (b) Certified copy of the FIR (if registered) under §154 CrPC / §173 BNSS.
 +
 +   (c) If FIR is not registered, the certified copy of the noting recording
 +       the reason for non-registration, citing the Lalita Kumari guidelines.
 +
 +   (d) Name + designation of the Investigating Officer (IO) and the
 +       Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) supervising the case.
 +
 +   (e) Charge-sheet status (if filed): date, court, copy.
 +
 +   (f) Closure report status (if filed): date, type (B-summary / C-summary),
 +       and the procedure for my objection / Naraz petition.
 +
 +   (g) The state SOP / Police Circular governing the jurisdiction of this PS
 +       vs Cyber Cell / Special Cell / SIT for the offence type.
 +
 +   (h) Grievance Register entries pertaining to FIR-registration matters in
 +       this PS during the period 1 January 2024 onwards.
 +
 +   (i) Name and contact of the FAA for this office.
 +
 +3. Fee: Rs 10 IPO in favour of "Accounts Officer, [Office name]".
 +
 +4. Lalita Kumari ground: I respectfully invoke the Constitution Bench in
 +   Lalita Kumari v. State of UP (2014) 2 SCC 1, paragraphs 120 + 121, which
 +   held that registration of an FIR is mandatory under §154 CrPC and that
 +   refusal to register is itself an actionable wrong.
 +
 +5. Severance + transfer per §10 + §6(3); reply within 30 days per §7(1).
 +
 +[Signature, name, address, phone, email, date.]
 +Encl.: Rs 10 IPO + photocopy of complaint + acknowledgement.
 +</code>
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**For non-registration of FIR**, file a parallel **§156(3) CrPC / §175(3) BNSS complaint** to the **Chief Judicial Magistrate** of your district. Take the RTI reply (when it comes) to the §156(3) hearing. Use [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]] for the RTI; for the §156(3) complaint, retain a local lawyer.
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Common mistakes =====
 +
 +  * **Asking police why they didn't register FIR**: RTI gives the noting, not the reason. Reframe as "the noting + circular cited".
 +  * **Filing only RTI without §156(3)**: RTI gets information; §156(3) gets action. Both are needed for FIR refusal cases.
 +  * **Wrong jurisdiction**: verify PS jurisdiction by incident location. Not your home address.
 +  * **No fee**: non-acceptance memo. Always include IPO.
 +  * **Asking for IO's call recordings**: likely §8(1)(g) / §8(1)(h) refused. Reframe as "the file noting recording the IO's findings".
 +
 +===== After you file your RTI: timeline =====
 +
 +^  Day  ^  RTI side  ^  §156(3) side  ^
 +|  Day 0  |  RTI submitted  |  §156(3) filed at Magistrate  |
 +|  Day 1-29  |  PIO has 30 days  |  Magistrate may issue notice / direct enquiry  |
 +|  Day 30  |  Mandatory reply  |  Hearing scheduled (typical 7-21 days)  |
 +|  Day 31+  |  §19(1) First Appeal if delayed  |  Magistrate order: register FIR / reject / further enquiry  |
 +|  Day 91+  |  §19(3) Second Appeal  |  Charge-sheet timeline begins from FIR date  |
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +
 +==== Police refused to register my FIR. RTI or §156(3)? ====
 +**Both, parallel.** RTI gets you the file noting + the SOP; §156(3) gets you the FIR registered. Each by itself is incomplete.
 +
 +==== Can I get the FIR copy without going to the police station? ====
 +**Yes.** RTI for "certified copy of FIR no [XXX]" + ₹10 IPO. The PIO must supply per §6 of the RTI Act. Many states also publish FIR copies on the state police website (e.g., MP, Delhi).
 +
 +==== I want to challenge a B-summary closure. RTI sample? ====
 +File RTI for: (a) date of closure report, (b) certified copy of the closure report + final form, (c) the noting recording the IO's findings. Then file a **Naraz petition / objection** with the Magistrate within 30 days of B-summary acceptance notice.
 +
 +==== Can I get the IO's mobile number / personal details? ====
 +**Personal details** of the IO are exempt under **§8(1)(j)** post-DPDP. But **name + designation + posting** is public information; the office mobile / landline is also public. The PIO must supply both.
 +
 +==== I want the charge-sheet copy. RTI to which office? ====
 +**Court**: once charge-sheet is filed, it becomes a court document. Apply for certified copy at the **Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate / Sessions Court** where charge-sheet was filed. Court fee + ₹10 per page. RTI to police is for the police-side file (IO noting), not the charge-sheet itself.
 +
 +==== Can a foreign national file an RTI for FIR? ====
 +**No.** RTI is for Indian citizens. A foreign national who is the victim can pursue the FIR through their consular post in India + the local police directly.
 +
 +==== I'm a journalist. Can I get FIR copies of multiple cases? ====
 +**Yes.** Journalists routinely file RTI for FIR copies. Cite **CPIO SC v. Subhash Agarwal** (2020) 5 SCC 481 if §8(1)(j) is invoked: public-interest balance favours press scrutiny.
 +
 +==== What if police claim "investigation in progress" §8(1)(h)? ====
 +Cite **Bhagat Singh v. CIC** (Delhi HC, 2007): §8(1)(h) is not a blanket shield; the PIO must show actual harm to the investigation. Also cite **Adesh Kumar v. UoI**: the PIO cannot refuse without specifying which limb of §8(1)(h) applies.
 +
 +==== Is there a fee for FIR copy directly from the police station? ====
 +Most states: **Free** for the complainant under the **Right to Service Act** of the state. Some states charge ₹2-5 per copy. RTI route is parallel and uniform: ₹10.
 +
 +==== My FIR is in Hindi but I want it in English. Can RTI get me a translation? ====
 +RTI can ask for the **English version of the FIR if it exists on file**. If not, you must translate yourself or via a paid translator. Court-certified translations are required for High Court / Supreme Court matters.
 +
 +==== Police officer asked for a bribe to register FIR. What now? ====
 +File: (1) RTI for the SHO's noting + jurisdictional circulars, (2) **§156(3) complaint** to Magistrate, (3) **Anti-Corruption Bureau / State Vigilance** complaint with the RTI reply attached. The combination almost always produces a result.
 +
 +==== What about cyber fraud? Same RTI? ====
 +**Yes**, but address it to **PIO, State Cyber Cell** + **PIO, Office of CP / SP**. Refer to the state's Cyber Cell SOP. Use the **NCRP helpline 1930** for immediate fraud-blocking before filing RTI.
 +
 +===== Companion citizen guides on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * [[:guide:applicant:application:sample:start|All sample RTI letters]]
 +  * [[:rti-for-police-verification-employment|RTI for police verification]]
 +  * [[:guide:applicant:application:sample:passport|Sample RTI for stuck passport]]
 +  * [[:upi-fraud-recovery-india|UPI fraud recovery: full guide]]
 +  * [[:cyber-crime-complaint-india|Cyber crime complaint: full guide]]
 +
 +===== Related case law =====
 +
 +  * **Lalita Kumari v. State of UP** (2014) 2 SCC 1: Constitution Bench: FIR registration mandatory.
 +  * [[:cases|Full case-law database (300+)]]
 +  * [[:important-decisions:court:bhagat-singh-vs-cic|Bhagat Singh v. CIC]]
 +  * [[:important-decisions:court:cpio-supreme-court-v-subhash-agarwal|CPIO SC v. Subhash Agarwal]]
 +  * [[:important-decisions:court:irrelevant-information|Adesh Kumar v. UoI]]
 +
 +===== Tools you can use =====
 +
 +  * 🪄 [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]
 +  * 🎤 [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]]
 +  * ⚖ [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Builder]]
 +  * 📅 [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Tracker]]
 +  * 🚨 [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/intelligence/fir-status.html|FIR Status portal directory]]
 +
 +===== Citations and sources =====
 +
 +  * **Right to Information Act, 2005**: §6, §7, §8, §10, §19. [[:act|Full text]].
 +  * **Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973**: §154, §156(3), §173 (now superseded by BNSS 2023 in respective sections from 1 July 2024).
 +  * **Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023**: §173, §175(3), §193.
 +  * **Lalita Kumari v. State of UP** (2014) 2 SCC 1: Constitution Bench, FIR-registration mandate.
 +  * **Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023** + **Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023**: companion BNS / BSA.
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * [[:guide:applicant:application|How to file an RTI application]]
 +  * [[:guide:applicant:first-appeal|How to file a §19(1) First Appeal]]
 +  * [[:cases|RTI case-law database]]
 +  * [[:rules|State RTI rules]]
 +  * [[:act|RTI Act, 2005]]
 +
 +----
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 4 May 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. Real-life case (Sneha, Lucknow) used with consent. CrPC + BNSS sections verified against IndiaCode.//
 +
 +{{tag>fir crpc-154 bnss-173 lalita-kumari-2014 charge-sheet closure-report b-summary section-156-3 cyber-fraud rti-sample 2026}}