Recently, we carried an article which was aimed at creating awareness about theft during rail journey. The post covered the process of filing a FIR in case of a railway theft. According to Indian Railways website, passengers can now file a complaint in the running train itself without breaking their journey. Forms to lodge FIR/Complaint are now available with Coach Attendants, Conductors, Guards, RPF Train Escorts.
The issue of lodging an FIR lies mainly with the jurisdiction in which the theft had taken place. We have come across cases where the Railway Police is generally reluctant to file an FIR if the incident has happened outside their jurisdiction.
But, it is now pleasant to note that the issue of said jurisdiction has been resolved by a decision taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi Mr. Mukesh Meena and attended by Inspector Generals of neighbouring states.
[su_highlight background=”#fc908b”]What is Zero FIR?[/su_highlight]As per the aforesaid decision, passengers can lodge a ‘zero FIR’ in any railway station and seek swift action. The concerned police station where the FIR is lodged will fax a copy immediately to the police station under whose jurisdiction the incident has taken place.’
According to indiacivic.com, “FIR can now be filed at any police station – even if you are far off from the place of incident and you may/ may not be sure of the correct jurisdiction. There are provisions to do so and the same can be transferred to the appropriate police station limits when these are available. Such an FIR is called the Zero FIR!”
Power to Consumer believes that ‘Zero FIR in cases of Railway Travel’ is a great step in the direction of making train travel safe and hassle free for the millions of passengers who journey frequently. So the next time when you are travelling, and if you or someone around you is an unfortunate victim of rail theft, we hope that you will be able to use this piece of information to claim your right as a consumer.
