How to File an FIR Bangladesh: Police Complaint Guide

An FIR (First Information Report) is the formal written report filed with the police when a cognizable offence has been committed. It is governed by the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 (Section 154), which requires the officer in charge of a police station to record any information relating to a cognizable offence in writing.

Once an FIR is filed, the police have a legal obligation to investigate — they cannot simply ignore it. The FIR becomes the foundation of the entire criminal case, so accuracy and completeness are critical. If you need help preparing or filing an FIR, an experienced criminal lawyer in Dhaka can guide the process.

These two terms are often confused in Bangladesh:

• General Diary (GD): A preliminary record of an incident. Filed when you are unsure of the offence, when evidence is weak, or for minor incidents. A GD does not automatically trigger a formal investigation.
• FIR: Filed for serious, cognizable offences. Triggers a mandatory police investigation. FIRs are numbered and are court records.

For serious crimes — assault, fraud, theft, harassment, cyber crime — always insist on an FIR, not just a GD. Police sometimes pressure victims to accept only a GD to reduce workload.

Filing an FIR at a Bangladesh police thana:

1. Visit the police station in whose jurisdiction the offence occurred — or where you reside if jurisdiction is unclear.
2. Request to speak with the Officer in Charge (OC).
3. Narrate the incident clearly: What happened, when, where, who did it, and what evidence you have.
4. The officer records your statement in the First Information Report book. Ensure all details are correct.
5. Read the FIR before signing — errors in an FIR can weaken your case later.
6. Obtain a free copy of the FIR immediately. This is your legal right (CrPC Section 154).

You may also send an FIR by post to the police station — this creates a reliable timestamp if police delay recording.

Under CrPC, once an FIR is registered, the officer in charge must:

• Assign the case to an investigating officer (IO).
• Begin investigation within 24 hours.
• Submit a First Charge Sheet (if evidence is found) or Final Report (if no evidence) to the Magistrate within the statutory period.
• Provide the complainant regular updates when requested.

If police are slow to act, a criminal lawyer can apply to the Magistrate or High Court to direct the investigation.

Police refusing to register an FIR is a common problem in Bangladesh. Your legal options:

• Send a written FIR by registered post to the police station — which automatically triggers recording obligations.
• Complaint to the SP (Superintendent of Police) of the district.
• File a Narazi petition directly before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate or Chief Judicial Magistrate — the Magistrate can order a police investigation.
• File a writ petition in the High Court Division directing the police to investigate — in extreme cases of refusal.

Advocate Md. Shah Alam regularly handles cases where police inaction required Magistrate or High Court intervention. Contact our Uttara office if your complaint is being ignored.

Ideally, the FIR should be filed at the police station with jurisdiction over the area where the offence occurred. If that station is far, you may file at the nearest station and it will be transferred. Do not let jurisdictional confusion delay filing.

There is no strict deadline in the CrPC for FIR filing in most cases. However, for some offences, limitation periods may apply. Courts are more sceptical of FIRs filed after a very long delay — so file as soon as possible.

Legally, no. Any person can file an FIR directly at a police station. However, a lawyer ensures the FIR is precise, includes all legally required details, and that you receive a copy immediately.

If you are dissatisfied with a police Final Report or the police fail to register your FIR, you can file a Narazi (protest) petition before the Magistrate asking the court to take cognizance of the offence independently.