Ministry of Home Affairs Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) launched a pilot project called e-Zero FIR in Delhi, aimed at automatically converting cyber financial fraud complaints into FIRs- starting with complaints involving losses above ₹10 lakh reported via the 1930 cybercrime helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Key Highlights
- e-Zero FIR: An automated, jurisdiction-free FIR registration system for cybercrime complaints involving high-value financial frauds.
- Pilot Project: Launched in Delhi, with nationwide rollout planned in the near future.
- Threshold: Automatically activates for complaints involving cheating above ₹10 lakh.
- Platforms Integrated:
- National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)
- 1930 Cybercrime Helpline
- Delhi Police’s e-FIR System
- Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) by NCRB
- Purpose: Ensure faster registration, faster action, and better coordination to recover lost funds and initiate timely punitive action.
How e-Zero FIR Works?
- Victim reports cyber financial fraud (₹10 lakh+) via 1930 or NCRP.
- System automatically converts complaint into an FIR.
- FIR is filed at Delhi’s e-crime police station (irrespective of jurisdiction).
- It is then routed to the appropriate cybercrime police station.
- Victim must visit within 3 days to convert Zero FIR to a regular FIR.
Objectives and Benefits
- Enables instant escalation of serious cybercrime complaints.
- Reduces jurisdictional delays and procedural hurdles.
- Facilitates real-time evidence gathering and prevents fund diversion.
- Empowers police to act swiftly and use data analytics for crime pattern tracking.
- Part of the broader Cyber-Secure Bharat mission:
- To protect digital infrastructure
- Raise cyber awareness
- Strengthen national cybercrime response
Future Expansion Plans
- Expand to lower-value frauds, non-financial cybercrimes, and cross-border cases.
- Integrate features like:
- Geo-tagging of cybercrime reports
- Cross-agency collaboration for better policing
- Data-driven analysis to preempt crime trends
Related Legal and Policy Framework
What is an FIR?
- FIR (First Information Report): Official documentation of a cognizable offence.
- Initiates criminal justice process under Section 173 of BNSS, 2023.
What is a Zero FIR?
- Can be filed at any police station, irrespective of where the offence occurred.
- Ensures immediate registration and forwarding to the correct jurisdiction.
- Recommended by the Justice Verma Committee post-2012 Nirbhaya case.
- Aims to remove jurisdiction barriers and ensure timely victim support.
FIRs under New Criminal Laws (From July 1, 2024)
| Old Law | Replaced By |
| Indian Penal Code (IPC) | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 |
| Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 |
| Indian Evidence Act | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 |
Key Provisions:
- Digital FIRs permitted: FIRs can be filed electronically.
- Mandatory Zero FIR: Police must register Zero FIR under Section 173 BNSS.
- Victim empowerment: Victims receive free FIR copies, ensuring transparency.