Official Bengaluru Police Websites
How to File a Police Complaint Online in Bengaluru
Open the official Bengaluru City Police website and review the available police and citizen services.
Look for Online Services, Citizen Services or a similar section and choose the service that matches the nature of your complaint.
Karnataka Police operates a Citizen Centric Portal for various online police services. Select the complaint or citizen service shown on the portal.
Complete the authentication steps shown by the portal. These may include your name, mobile number, email address, identity details and OTP verification.
Provide a clear and factual description, including the date, time, place, persons involved, vehicle or property details where relevant, and other information requested by police.
Where the portal permits uploads, attach relevant photographs, videos, receipts, agreements, screenshots, messages or other supporting records.
Review everything carefully before submission and retain the complaint, acknowledgement or reference number generated by the system.
If the information concerns a cognizable offence, monitor the police response and obtain the FIR number and available case details if an FIR is registered.
Does an Online Complaint Automatically Become an FIR?
No. An online complaint, petition or information submitted through a citizen portal should not automatically be described as an FIR.
Section 173(1) BNSS permits information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence to be given orally or by electronic communication to the officer in charge of a police station, irrespective of where the offence occurred. Electronic information is taken on record after it is signed within three days by the person giving it.
The BNSS therefore expressly recognises electronic communication, but a particular online service may have a different purpose and may not itself be the FIR-registration interface.
What Is a Cognizable Offence?
A cognizable offence is an offence for which police may, in accordance with applicable law, arrest without a warrant. Section 2 of the BNSS contains the statutory definition.
Whether an incident is cognizable depends on the facts and the applicable substantive criminal law, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and any relevant special legislation.
What if Bengaluru Police Does Not Register the FIR?
If information given to police discloses a cognizable offence but the officer in charge refuses to record it, Section 173(4) BNSS provides a statutory remedy.
The substance of the information may be sent in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If the SP is satisfied that the information discloses a cognizable offence, the SP may investigate the case or direct an investigation according to law.
The BNSS also provides a Magistrate remedy in the circumstances specified by law.
Electronic FIR Information Under Section 173 BNSS
- Information concerning a cognizable offence may be communicated electronically.
- Electronic information must be signed by the person giving it within three days for it to be taken on record.
- The information may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.
- An online portal's acknowledgement number is not necessarily an FIR number.
Bengaluru Police Online Services for Lost Articles
For lost documents, mobile phones or other articles, Karnataka Police provides a separate e-Lost Reports service.
A lost-property report should not automatically be treated as an FIR. If the facts disclose theft or another cognizable offence, the appropriate complaint/FIR procedure should be followed.
Cybercrime Complaints in Bengaluru
For online fraud, identity theft, hacking, financial fraud and other cyber offences, use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal where applicable.
Open National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
For financial cyber fraud, contact the 1930 helpline as soon as possible.
Emergency Police Assistance
Online complaint services should not be used instead of emergency police assistance. If there is an immediate threat to life, personal safety or property, contact 112 or seek immediate help from the nearest police station.
Documents and Information to Keep Ready
- Identity and contact details
- Date and time of the incident
- Exact location of the incident
- Description of the incident
- Names of persons involved
- Vehicle registration details
- Details of stolen or lost property
- Photographs and videos
- Relevant documents
- Transaction records
- Emails, messages or other electronic evidence
- Previous complaint or FIR details, if any
Important Points About Online FIR Registration in Bengaluru
- Use the official Bengaluru City Police or Karnataka Police websites.
- An online complaint acknowledgement is not necessarily an FIR.
- Section 173 BNSS recognises electronic communication of information relating to cognizable offences.
- Electronic information must be signed within three days as required by Section 173(1) BNSS.
- Keep the complaint or acknowledgement number safely.
- Preserve original documents and electronic evidence.
- For lost articles, use KSP e-Lost Reports where appropriate.
- For cybercrime, use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
- For emergencies, contact 112.
- If police refuse to record cognizable information, statutory remedies under Section 173(4) BNSS and the applicable Magistrate procedure may be available.
Bengaluru Police Online FIR - Quick Guide
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the official Bengaluru City Police website |
| 2 | Open the relevant online or citizen service |
| 3 | Use the Karnataka Police Citizen Centric Portal where applicable |
| 4 | Register or log in if required |
| 5 | Enter the details of the incident |
| 6 | Upload supporting documents or evidence where permitted |
| 7 | Submit the information |
| 8 | Save the acknowledgement or reference number |
| 9 | Follow up with police regarding FIR registration where necessary |