Kolkata Police Online Complaint and FIR Registration Guide
Residents of Kolkata can report incidents to Kolkata Police through its official services or by contacting the police station concerned. This guide explains the difference between submitting an online crime report and registering a First Information Report (FIR), along with the procedure under current Indian criminal law.
How to report a crime to Kolkata Police
- Visit the official Kolkata Police website and review the current citizen services and contact options.
- Locate the relevant crime-reporting, public grievance, or police station contact facility. The labels and available forms can change over time.
- Provide the incident date, time, location, clear description, your contact details, and available supporting evidence. Identify the police station if known.
- Submit the information using the facility currently provided and retain any acknowledgement, complaint number, email, or screenshot.
- If the information discloses a cognizable offence, request formal FIR registration and obtain the FIR number and free copy as provided by law. Follow up with the station if an online submission remains only a grievance.
Older versions of the Kolkata Police website displayed a Report a Crime form asking for crime details, name, address, police station, email and security code. The screenshots below are retained as historical illustrations; they may not reflect the current portal.
Legal provisions for registering an FIR
Section 173(1), BNSS - information in cognizable cases
Information about the commission of a cognizable offence may be given orally or by electronic communication to the officer in charge of a police station, irrespective of the area where the offence occurred. Oral information is reduced to writing and read over to the informant. Information supplied electronically is taken on record upon being signed by the person giving it within three days.
Section 173(2), BNSS - free FIR copy
A copy of the information recorded under Section 173(1) must be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant or the victim.
Section 173(3), BNSS - preliminary enquiry in specified cases
For cognizable offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more but less than seven years, the officer in charge may, with prior permission of an officer not below Deputy Superintendent of Police rank and considering the nature and gravity of the offence, conduct a preliminary enquiry within fourteen days to ascertain whether a prima facie case exists, or proceed with investigation where a prima facie case exists.
Section 173(4), BNSS - refusal to record information
If the officer in charge refuses to record information, the aggrieved person may send its substance in writing by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If satisfied that it discloses a cognizable offence, that officer shall investigate or direct investigation. If this does not secure relief, an application may be made to the Magistrate.
Read the official text of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. For older cases, transitional provisions and the law applicable at the relevant time may require separate consideration.
Online complaint versus FIR
An online complaint informs police of an incident or grievance. An FIR is the formal record of information relating to a cognizable offence under the criminal procedure law. Submitting an online form does not by itself prove that an FIR has been registered. Ask for the FIR number and police station details where applicable.
Kolkata Police contact numbers
For emergencies, call 112 or 100. Kolkata Police also lists 1090 for providing information to police and 1073 for traffic matters. Kolkata Police Headquarters is at 18, Lalbazar Street, Kolkata 700001; its exchange number is 033-2250-5000. See the official contact directory for current department-specific numbers and email addresses.
Cybercrime and financial fraud
For cybercrime, contact the appropriate police station or Kolkata Police Cyber Crime Police Station. The official police website lists cybercrime contact facilities. In financial cyber fraud, promptly call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Preserve transaction references, messages, URLs, and other evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register an FIR online in Kolkata?
Information about a cognizable offence may be communicated electronically under BNSS Section 173(1), subject to the statutory signature requirement. The availability of a complete online filing workflow depends on the current official police facility. A submitted grievance is not necessarily a registered FIR.
Can I report a crime that happened outside my police station area?
Yes. Section 173(1) permits giving information about a cognizable offence irrespective of where it occurred. This is commonly described as the Zero FIR principle.
Will I receive an FIR copy free of cost?
Yes. Section 173(2) requires a free copy of the recorded information to be provided forthwith to the informant or victim.
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This article is general legal information, not case-specific legal advice. Portal features and contact details may change; verify them on official websites.