Beginning June 1,FIRs to be uploaded on police website

Also,a committee has been constituted which will be headed by a DSP-level officer. The committee will have to give reasons if it decides not to upload an FIR. Detailed reasons will have to be given by the committee. Rejection will not be ordinarily done in routine cases. However,in cases where it is feared that uploading of an FIR will result in public unrest or breach of peace,the committee can decide not to upload them.

The DSP officer will shortly be appointed by the Chandigarh Police.

However,the High Court on Thursday questioned the reluctance shown by Punjab and Haryana in uploading the FIRs on their official websites.

Observing that it would curb illegal gratification being paid by the accused to obtain a copy of the FIR,the High Court has given one-month time to Punjab and Haryana to start uploading the FIRs.

Elaborating,acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh observed that if after an FIR is uploaded on the official website,the accused will not have to run from pillar to post to obtain a copy. After downloading the copy from the website,the accused will be able to apply for bail rather than greasing the palms of a police official to obtain the copy of the FIR (without which bail cannot be applied by an accused).

The directions were passed on a public interest litigation filed by advocate Ajay Jagga. The Bench disposed of the PIL. Appearing on behalf of the petitioner,advocate Aalok Jagga referred to a judgment in this regard passed by the Delhi High Court. The judgment makes it clear that a copy of the FIR should be uploaded on the website except “sensitive” FIRs.