THE ROLE OF FIRS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Law enforcement receives a First Information Report to begin the investigation and create a legal
record. In order to protect the rule of law, protect rights, and promote transparency in early criminal
investigations, the Code of Criminal system standardized the FIR system. FIRs let victims report
crimes and seek justice, but false or malicious ones can ruin the accused. FIRs' procedural issues
might impede justice as they balance victim protection and presumption of innocence. The advent of
digital FIR procedures has increased access, transparency, and reduced record tampering. Legal
processes, evidence recording, victim empowerment, legal protection, police action framework, court
supervision, statistics and policy analysis, transparency and accountability, and aiding legal action
depend on the FIR system. Complex First Information Report (FIR) registration might harm criminal
justice. Due to faulty reporting, delayed registration, police discretion and prejudice, fear of reprisal,
FIR abuse, disinformation, poor police training, bureaucratic challenges, technological obstacles,
and local intervention. Law enforcement and citizen rights are balanced in FIR registration and
administration under the CrPC and IPC. Police structure, operation, and FIR filing are governed by
the 1861 Police Act. In State of Haryana v. BhajanLal and Khatri v. Bihar, courts interpreted
legislation to clarify FIRs and criminal prosecutions. These past events demonstrate the importance
of accountability and monitoring to prevent future offences and protect basic rights in prison.
Coercion and fraud threaten the First Information Report, which the criminal justice system relies on