22nd Law Commission submits Report

#LawCommissionIndia received a directive from #MinistryOfHomeAffairs in June 2018, asking them to explore the feasibility of amending Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (#CrPC) to allow for online registration of FIRs.

In response, the 22nd #LawCommission conducted an extensive study of the legal framework surrounding online FIR registration in India and its evolution in the digital age. They examined the historical context of FIR registration, both during colonial and post-independence India, as well as the rulings of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the Hon’ble High Courts on this matter. The Commission engaged in consultations with key stakeholders in policing reforms, including the National Crime Records Bureau and the Bureau of Police Research & Development. They also held discussions with experts in academia, legal professionals, senior Police Officers, and other relevant parties.

After a thorough examination, the 22nd #LawCommission has submitted Report No. 282 titled “Amendment in Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for Enabling Online Registration of FIR” to the Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, on September 27, 2023. The Commission recommends the phased implementation of e-FIR registration, starting with offenses carrying a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment.