In A Landmark Judgment, SC Direct States, Union Terrorities To Upload FIRs On Websites Within 24 Hrs

The Supreme Court on Wednesday passed a landmark directive asking all States and Union Territories to upload a copy of FIR on their respective websites within 24 hours of registration. Also, states located in difficult terrain have to upload the same within 72 hours.

However, the Bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Nagappan has exempted cases related to terrorism, insurgency and sexual offences from this directive. The petition was filed by the Youth Bar Association of India.

An order or direction directing the respondents to upload every First Information Report lodged in all police stations within the territory of India on the official website of police of all states as early as possible, preferably within 24 hours from the time of lodging of such an FIR.

This will bring a relief to the people who go to police stations to register their FIRs but face harassment. Even though FIR is a public document, it is not an easy task for the general public to obtain a copy of FIR from the police. Therefore, if the FIR is put on the website, it would be in the larger public interest.

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