Online FIR Bangalore | E-lost Reporting App

Can you file online FIR in Bangalore? The answer is you can’t, but you can file an online report for lost documents in Bangalore through the city police website and the e-Lost Report App?

Do you want to find out more about how to file and FIR online through the website or E-lost App? Read on as this article discusses points such as what an FIR is, why you need to file and FIR and how to file it online.

Well, nobody likes visiting a police station but in some cases, it is a necessity. If you are the victim of a criminal offence or see one taking place, it is your right and duty to file an FIR on the basis of which an investigation can be started. Read on to learn more about online FIR Bangalore and how you can file them.

Online FIR Bangalore – online report for lost documents websites and app

Website: https://bcp.gov.in/
App Name – E-lost App

How to online report for lost documents

You cannot file an FIR online but you can file a report for the loss of important documents on the Bengaluru City Police e-Lost & Found app or website. To do so:

Login to the website/ go to the App
Enter details of the lost item
Collect an acknowledgment or form 76A

Note: You have to produce the 76 A form in case you need a duplicate of a claim insurance or lost document

Online FIR Bangalore – Can you really file it online?

FIRs cannot be lodged online and must be lodged at police stations. However, the Bengaluru police have introduced a portal and a mobile app through which a report can be filed online in the case of lost items.

This includes important documents such as passport, pan card etc, gold, computers, and mobile phones, computer accessories such as hard drives, watches and personal items such as bags, luggage, wallets, and cash.

Online FIR Bangalore facility powered by this portal cannot be used to report other cognizable offences. The complainant must first register himself on the website before filling up a form to report the theft.

Details to be submitted include category and subcategory the lost item falls under, time and area where the loss occurred, the brand of lost item, the approximate value of the item, photograph of the item if available, and the complainant’s personal details.

Once the information is submitted, a digital report is sent to the complainant’s email address and phone and it is registered at the State Crimes Record Bureau, Bengaluru.

This report may be used to apply for duplicate documents such as driving licenses and mark sheets or as proof in insurance related cases. It is not necessary for the police to conduct a search or enquiry on the basis of this report.

So, if you have lost mobile or if you have reported a non -cognizable offence make use of the online FIR Bangalore facility.

What is an FIR?

Well, if you have to file a cognizable offence, online FIR Bangalore facility is not enough. So let us also discuss what is in FIR and how to file it in a police station if such a situation arises

FIR refers to First Information Report. This is a written document with a prescribed format. It is designed to present all the information about the criminal event as told by the complainant. Not all criminal offence complaints are filed as FIRs.

FIRs are typically filed for cognizable offence i.e. criminal offences for which the offender can be arrested by the police without a warrant. This includes theft, rape, rioting, assault and kidnapping.

In some cases, non-cognizable offences such as bigamy, adultery etc can be registered as FIRs if a police officer witnessed the offence or if the court gives permission for it to be filed as an FIR. It can be filed by the victim, a witness or by any person who has knowledge about the offence.

What is the difference between an FIR and a police complaint?

There are many differences between FIRs and complaints. The former can be registered only for cognizable criminal offence while the latter can be filed for cognizable and non-cognizable criminal offences.

FIRs have a prescribed format and must be registered at a police station while complaints have no set format and can be made to a judicial magistrate. Most importantly, filing an FIR forces the police to begin investigating the case while a complaint need not be investigated until the police are directed to do so.

Why should you file an FIR?

An FIR serves many purposes.

It informs the police about an offence that has taken place and gives them all the relevant facts.
It sets the criminal law in motion as police are duty bound to investigate FIRs.
It provides proof in cases where insurance is involved.
In the case of thefts, it protects the complainant from liabilities that could arise from the misuse of their property that was stolen.

How can you lodge an FIR at a police station?

An FIR must be registered as soon as possible after the offence. This will usually be registered by a Sub-inspector or the senior most police officer in the police station. To lodge an FIR the complaint may be made orally or in writing. In the case of oral complaints, the policeman will write down the relevant details in the prescribed format, read it out to the complainant and get it signed by them.

Written complaints are attached to the FIR. When filing an FIR, it is important to report all the aspects of the offence correctly. This is because only one FIR can be filed per case. Thus, there can be only one version of the offence recorded.

According to the Karnataka Police Manual, an FIR can be filed before the authenticity of the complaint or any medical reports is filed. Once the FIR is filed, it cannot be cancelled or withdrawn by the Station House Officer (SHO) under any circumstance.

An FIR records the following details:

A wise man once said, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Being the victim of a criminal offence can put any person in panic mode but the first thing you should do in such cases is filed an FIR. Filing an FIR may seem like a daunting task but in reality, it is quite simple. In the unfortunate event of needing to file an FIR, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Approximate time and date of the offence
Time and date of reporting the offence
Place where the offence occurred
Personal details of the complainant
Personal details of the accused
Description of the offence
In the case of theft, a description of the property that was stolen
Section of the law applicable to the offence
Signature of the complainant

There are no fees payable when filing an FIR. A copy of the FIR is also given to the complainant without any charge.

What can you do if the police refuse to register your FIR?

If the offence is a non-cognizable offence, the police may refuse to file an FIR. In such cases, you may file a complaint in instead. Refusing to file an FIR in cognizable criminal offence is an offence in itself. In such cases you may choose to do one of three things:

Approach the Superintendent of Police to register the FIR
File a complaint at the jurisdictional court
File a complaint at the Karnataka Lokayukta

What happens to an FIR after is recorded?

4 copies of an FIR are made after it has been registered. One is kept by the police station and the others are sent to the Circle Inspector, Superintendent of Police and magistrate with jurisdiction over the area. A police enquiry will be started into the offence immediately after an FIR is registered.

A team will be sent to the place where the offence occurred to collect evidence in the form of photographs, material evidence and witness statements. A report on the FIR must be given to a magistrate within 60 days if the offence was committed in the past 7 years or within 90 days if the offence was committed more than 7 years ago. It is important to note that filing a false report is punishable by law.

Well, if you can file can opt for online FIR Bangalore facility; choose that over the physical one. Let technology revolutionize the way we work.