Police & notices › FIR or police complaint
Men follow, tease or harass me on the street
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Before anything elseIf you are in danger, call 112 or the women’s helpline 181.
Special protections applyStatements of women and children have special safeguards. Women Helpline 181 can help.
Make my own list — free, 2 minutes
Your situation
- What happened? Offence against a woman or child
Do these now
- A signed written complaint: who, what, when, where, and a list of attachments
A clear written complaint is harder to ignore and becomes the basis of the FIR. Where: Write it; take two copies. - A short dated timeline of what happened
Police and courts test complaints against dates. Where: Use "My timeline".
Papers to gather
- Your ID and address proof
Needed to register and follow up. Where: Your documents.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Supporting documents (bills, agreements, transaction records) — Shows what happened.
- Written request to preserve CCTV footage — Footage is often overwritten within days.
- Medical (MLC) report and injury photos — Corroborates assault.
- Witness names and contact details — Helps investigation.
- Details of the accused: name, phone, address, vehicle, bank account — Speeds up investigation.
- FIR copy and number — Needed for follow-up, insurance and court.
- Proof police refused (receipt, diary number, date, officer name) — Needed to escalate to SP and Magistrate.
- Complaint to the Superintendent of Police with postal proof — Usually required before approaching a Magistrate.
What the law says
Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), police must register an FIR for cognizable offences, including a "zero FIR" at any station and e-FIRs. If they refuse, you can approach the Superintendent of Police and then a Magistrate.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- When did it happen?
- What has happened with the police so far?
- Do you know who did it?
- What do you already have?
Similar situations
- Police refusing to register my FIR
- My phone or bike was stolen
- Someone cheated me of money
- Police gave only an NCR, not an FIR
- FIR registered but police doing nothing
- Want to file a complaint online
- House break-in or burglary
- Chain snatching or mobile snatching
Sources
The full guide: I want to file an FIR, or the police won't register my complaint · All situations