What to Do If Police Refuse to Register Your FIR: Legal Remedies & Next Steps
In India, registering a First Information Report (FIR) is the mandatory first step when a cognizable offence (serious crimes like cheating, theft, assault, fraud, or cybercrime) is reported to the police. Under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (which replaced Section 154 CrPC), the police officer in charge of a station must register an FIR if the information discloses a cognizable offence. Unfortunately, police sometimes refuse to register FIRs due to workload, pressure, jurisdictional confusion, or other reasons. This refusal is illegal and violates your fundamental right to access justice under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. If police refuse to file a police complaint or register your FIR, you have clear legal remedies. Acting quickly and correctly is crucial — delays can weaken evidence or allow the accused to destroy traces. Professional lawyers for police complaint can guide you through escalation, draft strong applications, a...
