DGP Gautam Sawang issues guidelines on the implementation of ZERO FIR

The AP government has made a sensational decision with the murder of a veterinary doctor murdered in Telugu states. The state is now preparing to implement the Zero FIR policy. Complaints can be made at any station irrespective of the statutory police station. DGP Gautam Sawang said the policy would be implemented across the state. A memo has been issued to Range DIGs, District SPs and Station House Officers across the state.

The DGP has instructed the authorities to set a weekly schedule for Zero FIR orders. When someone goes to the police station to file a case, they conclude that the area of the incident is out of their reach. With Zero FIR in force, the complaint can be lodged at any police station in any part of the state, regardless of the jurisdiction of the police station.

The Zero FIR does not allow the police to deny the victim's complaint. If the victim complains to any police station with Zero FIR, it shall receive, investigate and transfer the complaint to the station within the area of the incident. If any police officer refuses to register the FIR citing jurisdiction issues, they are ordered to be prosecuted according to IPC166.

DGP Gautam Sawang advised dialling 100, 112 and 181 toll-free numbers when women and children are in danger. These numbers will be consolidated. Then there is no ambiguity as to which number to phone. It is said that we will create an app to get all the services in one place.

Women across the state can also lodge complaints at the village secretariat. The women's care secretaries will send them to the police station. The village secretariat system, which takes the administrative system to the ground level, is a revolution. "We will educate women to care secretaries on women's safety, protection, the rule of law, policy issues, peacekeeping and women and child welfare services." He said the village and ward would train the women's care secretaries for two weeks.