To ensure faster justice and streamline the process of lodging complaints, the West Bengal Police have issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for 'Zero FIRs'. This move aims to eliminate delays in initiating criminal investigations, regardless of jurisdictional limitations. A Zero FIR can be filed at any police station, irrespective of where the incident occurred, ensuring immediate action and relief for victims.

The concept of Zero FIR was introduced in India following the recommendations of the Justice Verma Committee after the 2012 Nirbhaya case. It legally binds police officers to take prompt action on complaints, removing the excuse of jurisdictional issues. The SOP is designed to facilitate the effective implementation of Zero FIR provisions as outlined in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 173 of the BNSS now contains a statutory mandate for Zero FIRs.

Under the new SOP, any police station receiving a complaint about a cognizable offense must register a Zero FIR, even if the incident occurred outside its jurisdiction. This ensures that no time is lost in starting the investigative process. After registering the Zero FIR, the police station can conduct a primary investigation if necessary, such as a medical examination of a rape victim or injured person, depending on the urgency of the situation.

The SOP outlines several procedural steps to be followed for the submission and processing of Zero FIRs. Upon receiving information about a cognizable offense, the police officer must register a Zero FIR under the appropriate sections of law. A scanned copy of the complaint will be attached to the Zero FIR. A copy of the Zero FIR must be provided to the complainant free of cost, with advice to visit the jurisdictional police station. The OIC/IIC (Officer-in-Charge/Inspector-in-Charge) will then transfer the Zero FIR to the police station with jurisdiction over the place of the incident through CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems), along with a scanned copy of the report and the complainant's ID particulars.

The jurisdictional police station will then re-register the Zero FIR as a regular FIR in their records and assign it to an investigating officer for further action. Regular updates on the investigation must be provided to the complainant.

The SOP also addresses the importance of proper identification of police officers and the preparation of a Memorandum of Arrest, attested by at least one witness. It emphasizes that transfer of a Zero FIR can only be done once to the competent police station after proper verification. Multiple FIRs on the same incident are not permissible, and the non-jurisdictional police station registering the Zero FIR is not authorized to conduct any preliminary inquiry under Sec. 173 (3) of BNSS 2023.

This initiative by the West Bengal Police aims to provide immediate relief to victims, ensure quicker responses from authorities, and prevent the loss or alteration of evidence due to delays in filing complaints. By streamlining the process and making it easier for victims to report crimes, the SOP contributes to a more efficient and accessible criminal justice system.