Official Karnataka Police Online Services
Karnataka Police provides citizen services through its official website, including the Citizen Centric Portal, FIR Search and KSP e-Lost Reports.
How to File a Police Complaint Online in Karnataka
Open the Karnataka State Police website and use the Citizen's Desk to access the relevant online service.
Select the Citizen Centric Portal from the official Karnataka Police website or visit the Police Seva portal directly.
Follow the registration or login process displayed on the portal. The interface may change, so use the instructions shown on the official site.
Choose the relevant complaint, e-FIR or other citizen service and enter the details requested by the portal.
State what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, how the offence occurred and what supporting evidence is available.
Attach photographs, videos, receipts, identity documents, correspondence or other relevant evidence if the portal provides an upload facility.
Review the information carefully before submission and keep the complaint, reference or acknowledgement number for future communication.
Details You May Need for an Online Complaint
- Name and contact details of the complainant
- Date and time of the incident
- Place of occurrence
- Description of the incident
- Details of the victim
- Details of the suspected accused, if known
- Details of stolen or lost property, where applicable
- Police station or jurisdiction information
- Supporting documents or electronic evidence
Can an FIR Be Filed Online in Karnataka?
An online complaint and an FIR are not necessarily the same. Section 173(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 provides that information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence may be given orally or by electronic communication to the officer in charge of a police station.
Where the information is given electronically, it is to be taken on record after being signed by the person giving it within three days. Electronic communication is therefore expressly recognised, but every online complaint does not automatically become an FIR.
Karnataka Police also provides specific digital services for certain categories, including e-FIR facilities described by the official police website for reporting stolen vehicles.
Section 173 BNSS and Electronic Information
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 with effect from 1 July 2024. Section 173 BNSS governs information relating to cognizable offences.
- Information may be given orally or electronically.
- Electronic information is taken on record after the informant signs it within three days.
- The provision applies irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.
- The substance of the information is entered in the prescribed police record.
- Special procedures apply to certain offences against women.
What if Police Do Not Register the FIR?
If information discloses a cognizable offence but the officer in charge refuses to record it, Section 173(4) BNSS provides a statutory remedy. The aggrieved person may send the substance of the information in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police.
If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied that the information discloses a cognizable offence, the SP may investigate the case or direct an investigation in accordance with law. Section 175(3) BNSS also provides for approaching the Magistrate in the circumstances contemplated by the statute.
Complaint for a Non-Cognizable Offence
Not every complaint results in an FIR. Section 174 BNSS deals with information concerning non-cognizable offences. In such cases, the police enter the substance of the information in the prescribed manner and refer the informant to the Magistrate; investigation generally requires an order of the Magistrate.
How to Search an FIR Registered in Karnataka
Karnataka Police provides an FIR Search service through its official website. Visit the Karnataka Police Citizen's Desk and use the FIR Search option. The information required may vary depending on the current portal interface.
Open Karnataka Police FIR Search / Citizen's Desk
Lost Documents, Mobile Phones or Other Articles
For lost articles or documents, use the dedicated KSP e-Lost Reports service where applicable rather than assuming every lost-item report requires an FIR.
Cybercrime Complaints
For online fraud, financial cyber fraud, hacking, identity theft and other cyber offences, you can also use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Open National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
For urgent financial cyber fraud, contact the 1930 helpline as soon as possible.
Emergency Police Assistance
An online complaint should not replace an emergency response where there is an immediate threat to life, safety or property. For an emergency in Karnataka, contact police through 112.
Important Points Before Filing Online
- Use only official Karnataka Police portals or links provided by the official police website.
- Do not assume every online complaint is automatically an FIR.
- Provide complete and truthful information.
- Preserve photographs, videos, documents and other evidence.
- Save the acknowledgement or reference number.
- For cognizable offences, Section 173 BNSS permits electronic communication subject to statutory procedure.
- If police refuse to record cognizable information, Section 173(4) BNSS provides a remedy through the Superintendent of Police.
- For emergencies, call 112.
- For lost articles, use KSP e-Lost Reports where applicable.
- For cybercrime, use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and, where appropriate, 1930.
Karnataka Police Online Complaint - Quick Summary
| Service | Official Option |
|---|---|
| Karnataka Police website | Karnataka State Police official website |
| Online police complaint | Citizen Centric Portal |
| FIR search | FIR Search on Karnataka Police website |
| Lost article/document report | KSP e-Lost Reports |
| Cybercrime | National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal |
| Emergency police assistance | 112 |
| Electronic information procedure | Section 173, BNSS 2023 |