In faithful observance of the Right to Information Act, the Supreme Court has, in the course of hearing a PIL, ordered that the police stations across the country will be required to upload the FIR within 24 hours of filing the same so that the respondent comes to know what charges under what sections of law have been brought against him. However, the order of the Supreme Court spares upgrading of FIR in some sensitive cases like terrorism, security, rape and molestation etc. The accused have a right to know the status of his or her case when formal arrest is made.
This is a welcome step and the Supreme Court deserves to be thanked for making a crucial decision. Usually, the police have been keeping the FIRs shrouded in mystery and the person against whom the FIR is lodged is kept unaware of the charges. He comes to know of these charges only when he is produced before the court of law. It deprives to prepare his defence in time and with speed. Now with the orders from the Supreme Court, he will come to know about the charges within 24 hours. If there are obstructions in communication owing to technical or topographical reasons, the police authorities will have the liberty to upload it within 48 hours. This order is a step forward along the path of reducing the time of litigation and meting out quick justice to the accused. The order of the Supreme Court leaves little scope for the police and the accused party conniving at delaying the upgrading of the FIR. That situation is also covered by the law. Actually this order from the Apex Court came on a PIL filed by Youth Lawyers Association of India which had referred to an order passed by Delhi High Court asking the city police to upload the FIRs on its website within 24 hours of being registered. The Supreme Court has upheld the order of the Delhi High Court. The lawyers’ body had sought pan-India implementation of the Delhi High Court verdict which was allowed by the apex court with certain modifications.
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