[ Criminal format ]

Police Complaint Format: Letter to SHO for FIR under Section 173 BNSS

Section 173, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 [old Section 154 CrPC]

Free sample · Word, print and copy · Updated 12 November 2026

Sample format, not legal advice. This is a sample format for general information. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Facts, court practice, court fees and stamp duty differ by state and by case. Check the current law and your local court rules, or speak to an advocate, before you file, send or sign it.

A police complaint to the SHO is a written letter to the officer in charge of a police station describing a crime and asking that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered. A written complaint is better than an oral report: you control what is recorded, and the receiving copy is proof that you went to the police.

Under Section 173 BNSS (old Section 154 CrPC), the police must register an FIR when the information discloses a cognizable offence, whatever the area where it happened (a "zero FIR"), and must give the informant a free copy. Information can also be sent electronically, but it must be signed within three days. For offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, Section 173(3) allows a preliminary enquiry of up to 14 days with a senior officer's permission. This is different from a private complaint to a Magistrate under Section 223 BNSS, and from a report of a non-cognizable offence under Section 174 BNSS, which the police only enter in a register.

Given to: Station House Officer (officer in charge) of any police station; ideally the one where the offence happened
Given by: The victim or any person who knows of the offence
Law: Section 173 BNSS; Section 173(4) BNSS if the SHO refuses
Time limit: None in law, but report quickly — unexplained delay weakens the case
Fee: No fee; the FIR copy is free under Section 173(2) BNSS
Proof: Get a stamped and signed receiving copy, or a diary/GD entry number

When to use this format

You are the victim of, or a witness to, a cognizable offence such as theft, assault, cheating, criminal breach of trust or criminal intimidation.
You want the facts recorded in your own words instead of relying on an oral report written up by the police.
The offence happened in another area but you need to report it at the nearest police station as a zero FIR.
You want a written record to show later if the police refuse to register the FIR.
If the SHO refuses, send the same facts to the Superintendent of Police — see the complaint to SP when police refuse FIR.

Written complaint to the SHO for registration of FIR

Open PDF

Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details. Delete lines that do not apply.

To,
The Station House Officer
Police Station [NAME OF POLICE STATION]
[ADDRESS]
[DISTRICT], [STATE]

Date: [DATE]

Subject: Complaint for registration of FIR under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 regarding [ONE-LINE DESCRIPTION, e.g. theft of motorcycle / assault / cheating of Rs. [AMOUNT]]

Sir / Madam,

1. I, [FULL NAME], S/o / D/o / W/o [FATHER'S OR SPOUSE'S NAME], aged about [AGE] years, R/o [FULL ADDRESS], mobile [MOBILE NUMBER], submit this complaint about the offence described below.

2. Date, time and place: The incident took place on [DATE] at about [TIME] at [EXACT PLACE OR ADDRESS, WITH A LANDMARK].

3. Accused: [NAME(S), PARENTAGE AND ADDRESS(ES) OF THE ACCUSED, IF KNOWN] [OR: one or more unknown persons, described as [AGE, BUILD, CLOTHES, VEHICLE NUMBER, LANGUAGE]].

4. What happened: [DESCRIBE THE EVENTS IN THE ORDER THEY HAPPENED — who did what, what was said, what was taken or damaged. Write facts you saw or know, not opinions. Use separate short paragraphs if needed.]

5. Loss or injury: [DETAILS — e.g. cash of Rs. [AMOUNT]; mobile phone [MAKE, MODEL, IMEI]; vehicle [REGISTRATION NUMBER]; injuries treated at [HOSPITAL] on [DATE]].

6. Witnesses: [NAME, ADDRESS AND MOBILE OF EACH WITNESS] [OR: none known at present].

7. Evidence available: [CCTV AT [PLACE] / PHOTOGRAPHS / MESSAGES / MEDICAL PAPERS / DOCUMENTS], copies of which are enclosed. I will produce the originals when required.

8. Earlier report: [I HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS MATTER EARLIER / I REPORTED IT ORALLY ON [DATE] AT [PLACE] OR ON 112].

9. The above facts disclose cognizable offences. I request you to:
(a) register an FIR under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 under the appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and any other law;
(b) give me a copy of the FIR free of cost under Section 173(2) of the Sanhita;
(c) if the place of offence is outside the limits of this police station, register a zero FIR and transfer it to the police station concerned; and
(d) investigate the matter and take action against the persons responsible.

I shall co-operate fully with the investigation. The facts stated above are true to my knowledge.

Yours faithfully,

[SIGNATURE]
[FULL NAME]
[ADDRESS]
Mobile: [MOBILE NUMBER]
Email: [EMAIL, IF ANY]

Enclosures:
1. Copy of identity proof
2. [MEDICAL PAPERS / PHOTOGRAPHS / SCREENSHOTS / BILLS — LIST EACH]

RECEIVING (to be filled at the police station)
Received on [DATE] at [TIME]
GD / Diary Entry No.: [NUMBER]
Name, rank and signature of receiving officer: [NAME AND RANK]
[POLICE STATION SEAL]

How to fill it in

Address the right police stationIdeally file at the police station where the offence took place. If that is not possible, any police station must register a zero FIR and transfer it.
Write a precise subject lineName the offence in plain words — theft of a motorcycle, assault, cheating of a stated amount. The subject helps the duty officer classify the complaint quickly.
Narrate the facts in orderParagraph 4 should read like a short story: date, time, place, who did what, and what you saw. Avoid legal conclusions; the police choose the BNS sections.
Identify property exactlyGive IMEI numbers, vehicle registration numbers, bank transaction IDs and amounts. Exact identifiers help in recovery and later insurance claims.
List evidence and witnessesName witnesses with mobile numbers and note where CCTV may exist. CCTV footage is often overwritten within days, so mention it early.
Make two copies and get a receivingHand in the complaint and ask for the receiving block on your copy to be signed, stamped and given a diary or GD number. If the station refuses, note the time and the name of the officer.
Collect the FIR copyIf an FIR is registered, ask for the free copy under Section 173(2) BNSS and check that your account is recorded correctly before signing.

Documents to attach

Two copies of the signed complaint (one for your record)
Copy of identity proof of the complainant
Medical or medico-legal papers, if injured
Photographs, videos, screenshots or CCTV details
Bills, invoices or registration papers of stolen or damaged property
Copies of agreements, cheques or bank records in cheating or breach-of-trust cases

If the police do not register the FIR

The Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2014) held that registration of an FIR is mandatory when the information discloses a cognizable offence; only limited categories permit a short preliminary enquiry. If the SHO refuses, send the substance of the complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police under Section 173(4) BNSS [Section 154(3) CrPC]. If the SP also does not act, apply to the Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS [Section 156(3) CrPC] — see our Section 175(3) BNSS application format.

Common mistakes

Leaving with no receiving, so there is no proof the complaint was given.
Exaggerating facts or naming people on suspicion alone; this damages credibility later.
Signing an FIR written by the police without reading it.
Not mentioning CCTV or witnesses until weeks later.
Waiting days to report without any reason, and not explaining the delay.
Treating a complaint about a purely civil dispute, such as unpaid money with no dishonest intention, as a criminal case.

Frequently asked questions

Can the police refuse to register an FIR?

Not if the information discloses a cognizable offence. Section 173 BNSS and the Lalita Kumari judgment make registration mandatory. For offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven years, the police may hold a preliminary enquiry of up to 14 days under Section 173(3) BNSS, with permission from an officer of at least Deputy Superintendent rank.

What is a zero FIR?

An FIR registered at a police station that does not have jurisdiction over the place of the offence. Section 173(1) BNSS now expressly says information can be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. The FIR is then transferred to the police station concerned.

Can I file an FIR online?

Section 173(1) BNSS allows information by electronic communication, but you must sign it within three days for it to be taken on record. Many states also provide online e-FIR facilities for specific offences such as vehicle or mobile theft. For cyber fraud, use the cyber crime complaint format.

What if the offence is non-cognizable?

For non-cognizable offences, such as many cases of simple hurt or insult, the police enter the information in a register under Section 174 BNSS [Section 155 CrPC] and refer you to the Magistrate. They cannot investigate without the Magistrate's order. You can also file a private complaint before the Magistrate.

Do I have to pay for the FIR copy?

No. Section 173(2) BNSS requires the police to give the informant or victim a copy of the information as recorded, free of cost.

Reminder: This is a sample format for general information. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Facts, court practice, court fees and stamp duty differ by state and by case. Check the current law and your local court rules, or speak to an advocate, before you file, send or sign it. Spotted an error? Tell us.