Under the current judicial guidelines, which of the following is NOT a requirement for withholding an FIR on grounds of sensitivity?

The accused has no right to challenge the decision to withhold the FIR.

The decision must be made by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The magistrate must provide a certified copy within three days if requested.

A three-member committee must be constituted to review the grievance.

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30 August 2026

Supreme Court order on FIR access for journalist

The topic involves a significant judicial interpretation of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) regarding the rights of the accused, which directly relates to the functioning of the judiciary and the protection of constitutional rights.

Notes

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, does not explicitly mandate providing an FIR to the accused immediately upon registration.
Section 173(2) of the BNSS requires FIRs to be provided to the informant or victim, while Section 230 mandates providing documents to the accused only after the chargesheet is filed.
Supreme Court precedent (Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India, 2016) establishes the right of an accused to access the FIR before the chargesheet stage.
Courts have directed that FIRs be uploaded on police websites within 24 hours of registration, with extensions up to 72 hours for connectivity issues.
Sensitive offences (e.g., sexual offences, POCSO, terror) are exempt from mandatory online publication.
Decisions to withhold FIRs on grounds of sensitivity require approval from an officer of at least the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
If an FIR is withheld, an aggrieved person can appeal to a three-member committee or apply for a certified copy from the magistrate, who must provide it within three days.

Questions

Discuss the legal necessity of providing an accused with a copy of the FIR during the investigation stage, in light of the principles of natural justice and fair trial. 150 words

Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min

0 / 150 words 8:00
Examine the evolution of judicial directives regarding the accessibility of FIRs for the accused. How do these judicial interventions balance the requirements of criminal investigations with the constitutional rights of the accused under the current legal framework? 250 words

Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min

0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

According to the Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India (2016) judgment, what is the standard timeframe for uploading an FIR on a police website?

Under the current judicial guidelines, which of the following is NOT a requirement for withholding an FIR on grounds of sensitivity?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

Can an accused be denied a copy of the FIR?

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