Registration of FIR in cognizable offences mandatory: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that registration of First Information report (FIR) in cognisable offences is mandatory.

A five-judge Bench, headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam, clarified that no preliminary inquiry by a police official is permissible as a condition for registering FIR in cognisable offences.

The bench said that police officials cannot avoid registration of FIR and action must be taken against them for not lodging FIR in cognisable offences.

The apex court further said that preliminary investigation must be completed within seven days.

The ruling came on a petition seeking clarity on the process of police investigations.

Cognizable offences are those which attract punishment of three years or more in case of conviction and where an investigating officer can arrest an accused without warrant.