Vijayawada: AP DGP Goutam Sawang directed the police department to implement the ‘Zero FIR’ policy in all police stations of the 13 districts. This will prevent jurisdictional hassles like the one faced by the family of veterinarian Disha whose family was sent from one police station to the other.
He said that instructions were issued to register Zero FIRs after receiving complaints without objecting the limits of police stations. He said that it is observed that when the public are approaching the police for registration of their cases, they are being directed to go to other police stations on point of the territorial jurisdictions and felt it is not correct. Mr Sawang said that there are specific directions about registering of complaints and reiterated that even if the alleged offence has been committed outside the territorial jurisdiction of the police station, an FIR should be registered.
He said that later the FIR might be transferred to the police station concerned. He further said that the police officer was clearly informed that the failure to comply with the direction of registration of Zero FIR may lead to the prosecution of the police officer under section 166-A of IPC and may also involve departmental action against the officials.
Mr Sawang said that all the police stations and police officials are directed to follow the Zero FIR norm and warned about stern disciplinary action against erring police officials for refusal to file a Zero FIR complaint.
