Telangana Police Bring FIR Registration to Victims Doorstep

Telangana Police will roll out a new citizen-centric crime registration system from January 27 , allowing victims to lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) from their residence or a place of their choice , marking a significant shift from station-centric policing to a victim-first approach , officials said.

The initiative, developed and implemented by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) , is being described as the first formal, statewide system in the country that institutionalises on-site FIR registration for sensitive and serious offences . CID Additional Director General of Police Charu Sinha said training for officers is underway and standard operating procedures have been circulated to ensure uniform implementation across the state.

The system will initially apply to specified categories of cognisable offences, including those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act , the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act , the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Telangana Prohibition of Ragging Act , where victims are often in a vulnerable or traumatic condition and may find it difficult to visit a police station.

Under the new procedure, upon receiving telephonic or oral information about a cognisable offence , the jurisdictional police or any police officer in the case of a Zero FIR will immediately proceed to the victim’s residence, hospital, place of offence or any other location chosen by the complainant. The officer will receive the complaint and record the initial statement and forward it to the concerned police station for formal registration of the FIR . A copy of the FIR will be provided to the victim at the same location , and where required, statements under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will also be recorded on site.

Simultaneously, the police will secure the crime scene, preserve physical evidence and proceed with further investigation in accordance with the law.

Across India, several states have introduced online or electronic FIR systems that allow citizens to report certain non-violent offences through police portals or mobile applications. Some states have also experimented with limited pilot projects for doorstep registration, particularly during the COVID-19 period. However, these mechanisms largely rely on digital submissions and do not involve officers physically reaching the victim to record statements in sensitive cases.

Officials said Telangana’s model goes beyond existing e-FIR systems by formally deploying police personnel to the victim’s chosen location as part of the registration process, backed by clear protocols, officer training and statewide implementation.

By reducing procedural barriers, minimising secondary trauma and ensuring timely registration of FIRs in serious offences, the initiative aims to strengthen access to justice and reinforce public trust in the criminal justice system, Sinha said.