Bihar Police FIR Online - File Complaint & Access FIR Services

Register a police complaint online with Bihar Police and understand the current FIR procedure under BNSS

Bihar Police provides an online Citizen Service Portal through which citizens can access various police services, including e-Complaint, FIR-copy services and other online facilities. The official Bihar Police website also provides links to citizen services.

However, it is important to distinguish between filing an online complaint and registration of an FIR. An online complaint submitted through the Bihar Police portal does not, by itself, mean that an FIR has automatically been registered. Where the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police must deal with it in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).

The current legal framework came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) for new proceedings.

Bihar Police Official Website:
Bihar Police - Official Website
https://police.bihar.gov.in/

Bihar Citizen Services Portal:
Bihar Citizen Services Portal - e-Complaint and FIR Services
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

The current Citizen Services Portal provides an e-Complaint facility that requires login, as well as a separate service for obtaining a web copy of an FIR registered within Bihar.

Can an FIR Be Registered Online in Bihar?

The answer requires an important legal distinction.

The Bihar Police Citizen Services Portal presently provides an e-Complaint facility. It should therefore not be described as a system in which every online complaint automatically becomes an FIR.

At the same time, the current criminal procedure law expressly recognises electronic communication of information relating to cognizable offences.

Section 173 BNSS - Information in Cognizable Cases
Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 governs information relating to cognizable offences. The provision recognises information being given by electronic communication, subject to the statutory requirements.

Therefore, a citizen can communicate information concerning a cognizable offence electronically, but the precise method of registration and processing depends upon the police system, the nature of the offence and the requirements of the BNSS.

Steps to Register a Police Complaint Online with Bihar Police

Step 1 - Visit the Official Bihar Police Website

Go to:

Bihar Police Official Website
https://police.bihar.gov.in/

The Bihar Police website provides access to citizen services, including online complaint-related services.

You can also directly visit:
Bihar Citizen Services Portal
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

Step 2 - Select the e-Complaint Service
On the Citizen Services Portal, locate e-Complaint / Report e-Complaint.

The current portal identifies e-Complaint as a service available after login.

If you are a new user, use the registration facility provided on the portal.

The current registration page asks for information including:

First name
Last name
Email address
Mobile number
Password
OTP verification
Captcha/security information.

Step 3 - Register/Login to the Portal
If you already have an account, log in using your registered credentials.

If you are a new user, complete the registration process and verify your mobile number/OTP as required by the portal.

After successful login, select the relevant complaint service.

Step 4 - Enter the Complainant's Information
Provide the information requested by the online form.

This may include:

Name
Mobile number
Email address
Address
District
Police station
Other identification/contact information

Enter accurate information because the police may need to contact you for clarification or further investigation.

Step 5 - Select the District and Police Station
Select the district in which the incident occurred or the police station relevant to the complaint, wherever the portal asks for these details.

Bihar Police has police units and stations throughout the State. The exact district/police-station options displayed by the portal may be updated from time to time.

For Patna, select the appropriate Patna police jurisdiction shown on the current portal.

Step 6 - Select the Type of Complaint
Select the category that most closely describes the incident.

Depending upon the current portal and nature of the complaint, categories may cover matters such as:

Theft
Cheating/fraud
Assault
Threats
Missing persons
Property-related offences
Women-related offences
Cyber crime
Vehicle-related matters
Other police complaints

The categories available online may change as Bihar Police updates its CCTNS/citizen-service system.

Step 7 - Enter a Detailed Description
Write the facts clearly and chronologically.

You should ordinarily provide:

1. Date of occurrence
2. Approximate time
3. Place of occurrence
4. Description of the incident
5. Names of persons involved, if known
6. Description of property involved, if applicable
7. Names of witnesses, if known
8. Details of injuries or threats, if any
9. Details of documents/evidence available
10. Previous complaint or FIR details, if applicable

Avoid inserting assumptions or allegations that you cannot substantiate. Give the police all material facts known to you.

Step 8 - Upload Supporting Documents
If the portal permits attachments, upload relevant supporting material.

Depending upon the complaint, this could include:

Photographs
CCTV footage
Screenshots
Bills/invoices
Bank transaction records
Medical documents
Agreements
Identity/ownership documents
Other relevant evidence

Keep the original documents and electronic evidence safely preserved.

Step 9 - Submit the Complaint
Review the information carefully and submit the online complaint.

After submission, save the acknowledgement, reference number, screenshot or other confirmation generated by the system.

Do not assume that submission of an e-Complaint itself establishes that an FIR has been registered.

What Happens After an Online Complaint?

The police may examine the information and take appropriate action according to the nature of the matter.

Where the information discloses a cognizable offence, Section 173 BNSS governs the receipt and recording of such information. The statutory scheme also permits electronic communication.

For certain cognizable offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more but less than seven years, Section 173(3) BNSS permits a preliminary inquiry, subject to the statutory conditions and prior permission of an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Such preliminary inquiry is to be completed within fourteen days, or the police may proceed with investigation where a prima facie case exists.

Consequently, an online complaint should not be represented as an automatic FIR-registration mechanism in every case.

How to Obtain a Copy of an FIR Online
The Bihar Citizen Services Portal currently provides a separate facility through which citizens can view/download a PDF web copy of an FIR registered within Bihar.

Use:

Bihar Citizen Services Portal - FIR Copy Service
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

The availability of a particular FIR may depend on the nature of the case and the information available in the online system.

Bihar Police Services Available Online
The current Bihar Citizen Services Portal provides several services.

These include:

e-Complaint
Obtaining a copy of an FIR
Anonymous/confidential information
Information concerning proclaimed/wanted offenders
Unknown person information
Other police verification/citizen services.

The Bihar Police website also provides additional citizen services, including emergency and cyber-crime-related facilities.

Important Difference Between Complaint and FIR

An online complaint is information submitted to the police.

An FIR is the First Information Report recorded in accordance with the applicable criminal procedure in respect of information relating to a cognizable offence.

Therefore:

Online complaint submitted → Police processing → FIR may be registered where legally required/applicable

It is incorrect to state that every complaint submitted online automatically becomes an FIR.

Current Law: BNSS Instead of CrPC
Older law referred to Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

For the current legal framework, that reference should be updated.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the CrPC for the new criminal-law framework from 1 July 2024.

The principal provisions relevant to this subject include:

Section 173 BNSS - Information in cognizable cases
Section 174 BNSS - Information as to non-cognizable cases
Section 175 BNSS - Police officer's power to investigate cognizable cases
Section 176 BNSS - Procedure for investigation
Section 193 BNSS - Report of police officer on completion of investigation.

The official India Code text should be used for the latest statutory wording.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 - India Code
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/21419

Electronic Filing Under Section 173 BNSS
One of the significant changes under the new criminal procedure law is express recognition of electronic communication.

The BNSS defines electronic communication broadly to include information transmitted through electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers.

Section 173 therefore provides a statutory basis for electronic communication of information concerning cognizable offences, subject to the conditions prescribed by law.

This is an important update to older articles that state that FIR information can only be given by physically visiting a police station.

What If the Police Do Not Register the FIR?
If information concerning a cognizable offence is not recorded, Section 173 BNSS provides an escalation mechanism.

The informant can send the substance of the information in writing to the Superintendent of Police concerned in accordance with Section 173 BNSS.

Where appropriate, further remedies may also be available before the competent Magistrate.

The precise remedy depends upon the facts and nature of the offence, and legal advice should be obtained in serious or disputed cases.

Can a Zero FIR Be Registered?
Section 173(1) BNSS provides that information relating to a cognizable offence may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. This statutory language supports the principle commonly referred to as Zero FIR.

Accordingly, territorial jurisdiction should not ordinarily prevent the initial receipt of information concerning a cognizable offence.

The matter can subsequently be dealt with by the police station having jurisdiction in accordance with law.

Emergency Police Assistance
An online complaint should not be used as a substitute for immediate police assistance where there is an emergency.

For urgent police assistance in Bihar, use the emergency service 112.

For cyber financial fraud and cyber crime, the national cyber-crime reporting mechanism and helpline 1930 should be used promptly.

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/

Information to Keep Ready Before Filing an Online Complaint
It is advisable to keep the following information ready:

Full name
Mobile number
Email address
Residential/contact address
Date and time of occurrence
Place of occurrence
District and police station, if known
Description of the offence
Details of accused persons, if known
Details of witnesses
Description/value of stolen or damaged property
Photographs and videos
CCTV footage
Relevant documents
Transaction details in financial fraud cases
Earlier complaint/FIR number, if any

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Treating an acknowledgement as an FIR
An acknowledgement or complaint reference number does not necessarily mean that an FIR has been registered.

2. Using an old Bihar Police URL
Old links published on third-party websites may no longer reflect the current Bihar Police portal. Always begin with the official Bihar Police website or current Citizen Services Portal.

3. Providing incomplete facts
A vague complaint may make it difficult for the police to understand the incident and take appropriate action.

4. Uploading unclear documents
Ensure that photographs, scanned documents and other evidence are readable.

5. Ignoring emergency services
Where there is immediate danger, violence or an ongoing criminal incident, contact the police through the emergency mechanism rather than waiting for an online complaint to be processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register an FIR online with Bihar Police?

Bihar Police currently provides an online e-Complaint facility through its Citizen Services Portal. Section 173 BNSS also recognises electronic communication of information relating to cognizable offences. However, an online complaint should not automatically be treated as an FIR; FIR registration depends upon the nature of the information and applicable legal procedure.

What is the current official website for Bihar Police?
The official website is:

Bihar Police
https://police.bihar.gov.in/

Where can I submit an e-Complaint?
The current Bihar Citizen Services Portal provides an e-Complaint facility after login.

Bihar Citizen Services Portal
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

Can I get an FIR copy online?
Yes. The current Bihar Citizen Services Portal provides a facility for viewing/downloading a PDF web copy of an FIR registered within Bihar.

Does Section 154 CrPC still apply to new FIRs?
The new criminal-law framework came into force on 1 July 2024. The relevant current provision concerning information in cognizable cases is Section 173 BNSS.

Can information about a cognizable offence be sent electronically?
Yes. Section 173 BNSS recognises electronic communication for giving information concerning cognizable offences, subject to the statutory requirements.

Can I file a complaint if the offence occurred in another district?
Section 173(1) BNSS provides that information concerning a cognizable offence may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. The police can thereafter deal with territorial jurisdiction according to law.

What should I do if my complaint is urgent?
For immediate police assistance, contact 112. For cyber financial fraud, report immediately through 1930 and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Conclusion
Bihar Police now provides a modern online citizen-service system through its official website and Bihar Citizen Services Portal. Citizens can use the portal to submit an e-Complaint, obtain FIR copies and access other police services.

For new criminal matters, the old references to the IPC and CrPC should be updated to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). In particular, Section 173 BNSS now governs information relating to cognizable offences and expressly recognises electronic communication.

The most reliable approach is to access the current official Bihar Police portal rather than relying on old URLs or screenshots reproduced on third-party websites.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Online services, forms, login requirements and URLs may be changed by Bihar Police from time to time. Verify the current procedure on the official Bihar Police website before submitting personal or case-related information. In an emergency, contact the police through the appropriate emergency service rather than relying solely on an online complaint.