Changing Contours of Fir

Imagine a person walking down to a police chowki and insisting to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) against pilferage of commodities ranging from Pajamas to orange, the yawning man in uniform posted in the chowki would get enough reason to ludicrously laugh at the complainer and subsequently, thrash him out of the station. Although, the law of land persists that police should register every single complain coming its way, in today's circumstance such petty crimes do not get registered. A paradigm shift in the nature of crime over the time can be pointed to be the primary reason for it. Criminology has stooped to such vociferous levels that even police have to take a tough ride even to understand the nature of the crime.



To a great extent, FIRs are the candid portrayal of the nature of the crime committed in a particular era, which in turn, narrates the prevalent social norms of the society to some extent. Headlines India takes you into a chronological ride of various FIRs lodged in sporadic police stations(PS) of Delhi, starting from the first of its kind.



The first FIR of Delhi was lodged exactly one hundred and forty-six years ago, with Subzi Mandi Police Station on October 18, 1861. The FIRs at that time were written in Urdu and the justices were delivered within a week's time. It reads as follows: “Utensils & Clothes Theft”, FIR no and Section (unknown) under Police Station Subzi Mandi had lodged that one Maiyuddin son of Mohammad Yar Khan resident of Katra Sheesh Mahal stated that 3 Degcha, 3 Degchi, a Katora, a Kulfi, a Hukka and some ladies' clothes worth 45 annas were stolen from his house in the night.



Other FIRs of that era:



Dated: February 16,1891.Complaint - “Theft Of 11 Oranges Worth 2 Annas” FIR no-125, Section 379 IPC, under Subzi Mandi Police Station recorded that Ram Baksh s/o Allah Balsh along with his 4-5 accomplices stole 11oranges of Ram Prasad s/o Deen Singh, the complainant caught him along with the oranges with the help of Chajju ram and was brought to Police Station. The Court Verdict: 1 month RI (23-12-1891).



Dated: April 30, 1895.Complaint- “Theft of a Tattu (Mule)” FIR no- 44, Section 381 IPC under Subzi Mandi PS lodged that Moka s/o Nanwa complained his tattu was stolen by Fula Jat, who was his former servant. The Court Verdict: Untraced (16-05-1895).



Dated: March 10, 1897. Complaint- “Theft of Pyjamas Worth 8 Annas” FIR no. 6, Section 36, 380 IPC under PS Subzi Mandi registered that the Pyjamas of Jyoti s/o Chuhe Mal was stolen by Ram Dayal Tufal s/o Kallu, when he was interrogated, he promised to bring it from home but he did not turn up. Later he was arrested with Pyjamas. The court Verdict: Awarded 5 lashes.(15-03-1897).



Dated: September 20, 1898.Complaint- “Theft Of Hukka Worth Rs 5” FIR no- 6, Section 39, 379 IPC under Nangloi Police Station noted that Badlu, s/o Dana Jat reported, that he was lying on a charpai (cot) in the chaupal. Harnam came and took away his Hukka. When he saw him running, he ran after him and caught him after about 500 steps from chaupal. The Court verdict: 2 weeks R.I. (27-09-1898).



Another one lodged on October 18, 1894 after almost 20 years - “Pick Pocket of 4 Annas” FIR no-125, Section 379 IPC, under Subzi Mandi Police Station registered that Tulsi, s/o Sabi Jat reported, that Harvender had taken out 4 annas from his pocket and was caught red-handed by Jeet. The Court pronounced 2 years RI to the accused as he was a habitual offender. The verdict came on December 19, 1894. Only after one and half month, which is almost paradoxical in today's legal system which is thriving hard for a fast justice delivery system.



In another incident on June 22, 1899, an FIR was lodged regarding theft of Quran Sharif. “Theft of Quran Sharif” FIR no 15, Section-380 IPC under PS Mehrauli recorded that Alladiya stated that last night Guttu arrived to the Mosque and told that he had been converted to Muslim and wanted to go to Ajmer Sharif, so he asked for help. He was donated funds and food. He stayed that night at the Mosque and walked away with the Quran Sharif. Eventually he was caught him from a shop. The verdict of one week of imprisonment was pronounced on July 12, 1899.



For more news, information updates, and articles from India log on to www.headlinesindia.com