CBI starts to file FIRs in public domain
New Delhi: CBI has started publishing FIRs on its website, a step which comes in compliance with the Supreme Court order directing every police force to publish FIR records within 24 hours of registration.
CBI Director Anil Sinha
The agency, which had been citing exemption from RTI Act, whenever asked to provide FIRs of the case, has now started voluntarily putting these records on its website.
The records of FIRs published from November 15 onwards, including the one in which Delhi MLA of Aam Admi Party Amanatullah Khan were booked, are now available for people to go through.
A Supreme Court bench of Justices Dipak Mishra and C Nagappan had directed the police forces to publish their FIRs on website within 24 hours of registration except in sensitive matters.
“The copies of FIRs, unless the offence is sensitive in nature, like sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism and of that category, offences under POCSO Act and such other offences, should be uploaded on the police website, and if there is no such website, on the official website of the state government, within 24 hours of the registration of the First Information Report so that the accused or any person connected with the same can download the FIR and file appropriate application before the Court as per law for redressal of his grievances,” the verdict said.
Concurring with almost all the directions passed by the Delhi High Court in 2010, the apex court said, “An accused who has reasons to suspect that he has been roped in a criminal case and his name may be finding place in a First Information Report, can submit an application through his representative/ agent/parokar for grant of a certified copy before the concerned police officer or to the Superintendent of Police on payment of such fee which is payable for obtaining such a copy from the Court. On such application being made, the copy shall be supplied within 24 hours.”
It also said a decision not to upload an FIR on the website shall not be taken by an officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or any person holding equivalent post.