GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3743
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026/ SHRAVANA 20, 1948 (SAKA)
E-FIR UNDER BNSS
†3743. SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the legal timeline and mandatory rules laid down for registering an e-FIR
in the country under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita;
(b) whether the...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3743 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11TH AUGUST, 2026/ SHRAVANA 20, 1948 (SAKA) E-FIR UNDER BNSS †3743. SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the legal timeline and mandatory rules laid down for registering an e-FIR in the country under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita;
(b) whether the rule specifying a three-day timeline for issuing an acknowledgment to the complainant after the registration of an e-FIR and obtaining his/her formal signature by the police is being strictly implemented across all States; and
(c) whether an e-FIR is cancelled in case the complainant is unable to reach the police station within the stipulated time limit and whether any other digital alternative is available to proceed with the investigation and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a) to (c): Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, inter-alia, provides that every information relating to the commission-2- L.S.US.Q.NO. 3743 FOR 11.08.2026 of a cognizable offence, irrespective of the area where the offence is committed, may be given orally or by electronic communication to an officer in charge of a police station, and if given orally, it shall be reduced in writing by him which shall be signed by the person giving it. In case information is given by electronic communication, it shall be taken on record by the officer incharge of Police Station on being signed within three days by the informant. The BNSS, 2023 provides that an e-FIR or information furnished through electronic communication needs to be signed by the informant within the prescribed period of three days for it to be taken on record.
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