First Information Report

A First Information Report or FIR is a written document prepared by the police in India when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offence. It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report. It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf. Anyone can report the commission of a cognizable offence either orally or in writing to the police.

A telephonic message can also be treated as the basis for an FIR.

Importance

An FIR is a very important document as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion. It is only after the FIR is registered in the police station that the police takes up investigation of the case.

Anyone who knows about the commission of a cognizable offence can file an FIR. It is not necessary that only the victim of the crime should file an FIR. A police officer who comes to know about a cognizable offence can file an FIR himself/herself.

As described in law,

When information about the commission of a cognizable offence is given orally, the police must write it down.
The person giving information or making acomplaint has a right to demand that theinformation recorded by the police is read to him/her.
Once the information has been recorded by the police, it must be signed by the person giving the information.

References

Complete information about what an FIR is, who can file it, rights of people, etc. (PDF format)