# Police won't write your FIR? Go around them.

> For a cognizable offence the law says the information shall be written down. If the station refuses, the Sessions Judge, as ex-officio Justice of the Peace, can direct the police.

- Topic: Criminal law
- For: Citizens
- A 7-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/police-wont-write-your-fir-go-around-them
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-10

## A cognizable offence? It must be written.

Information about a cognizable offence given to the officer in charge of a police station shall be reduced to writing, read back to you and signed.

> "Every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence if given orally to an officer in charge of a police-station, shall be reduced to writing by him" (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 · Section 154)

## Refused? Go to the Sessions Judge.

Sessions Judges are ex-officio Justices of the Peace (Section 25). They can direct the police on a complaint of non-registration.

- **Police refuse the FIR** Keep a copy of your written complaint.
- **Petition the ex-officio Justice of the Peace** Section 22-A(6), Code of Criminal Procedure.
- **Directions to the police** Issued on your complaint.

## Not only FIRs. Three complaints.

Section 22-A(6) lets you complain about:

- **Non-registration of a criminal case**
- **Transfer of investigation** From one police officer to another.
- **Neglect, failure or excess** By a police authority in its duties.

## Women complainants: extra protection.

For offences under PPC sections 336B, 354, 354A, 376 and 509, Section 154 adds safeguards.

- **Recorded with a female officer or family member present** Or another person she consents to.
- **If she is distressed** Recorded at her home or a place she chooses.

## Check your situation. Free.

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

- **The police station refused to register my FIR for theft. What do I do now?**
- **How do I file a 22-A petition?**

## What this does not mean

- The duty to write down information under s.154 applies to a cognizable offence reported to the officer in charge of a police station.
- The Justice of the Peace issues directions to the police on your complaint. The carousel does not say he registers the FIR himself.
- The extra safeguards for women apply to offences under PPC sections 336B, 354, 354A, 376 and 509.

## Questions people ask

### What to do if the police refuse to register an FIR in Pakistan?

Keep a copy of your written complaint and petition the Sessions Judge as ex-officio Justice of the Peace under CrPC s.22-A(6). He can direct the police on your complaint.

### What is 22-A CrPC?

Section 22-A(6) lets the ex-officio Justice of the Peace hear complaints about non-registration of a criminal case, transfer of investigation, and neglect, failure or excess by a police authority.

### Are the police bound to register an FIR?

For a cognizable offence, information given to the officer in charge of a police station shall be reduced to writing, read back and signed (CrPC s.154).

### Who is the ex-officio Justice of the Peace?

Sessions Judges are ex-officio Justices of the Peace (CrPC s.25).

### How is an FIR recorded for a woman complainant?

For offences under PPC sections 336B, 354, 354A, 376 and 509, it is recorded with a female officer or family member present, or another person she consents to. If she is distressed, it can be recorded at her home or a place she chooses.

## Sources

- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 · Section 154: Information in cognizable cases

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Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review.

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