Register FIR Online in Andhra Pradesh
Citizens of Andhra Pradesh can use online police and citizen-service facilities to submit petitions and complaints, obtain acknowledgements, track grievance status and access FIR-related services, depending on the service currently made available by Andhra Pradesh Police.
FIR Registration Under Section 173 BNSS
From 1 July 2024, criminal procedure is governed by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Section 173 deals with information relating to cognizable offences and permits such information to be given by electronic communication.
Under Section 173(1), information concerning a cognizable offence may be given to the officer in charge of a police station orally or by electronic communication, irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. Where information is submitted electronically, it must be signed by the informant within three days for it to be taken on record.
Andhra Pradesh Police Online Complaint / Petition Services
Andhra Pradesh Police has used Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) facilities for receiving and monitoring police petitions. Official district police information describes PGRS as a system through which citizens can lodge petitions, receive acknowledgements and obtain subsequent status information. The system is linked with CCTNS for monitoring police petitions.
Use the currently available official Andhra Pradesh Police citizen-service facility rather than relying on old screenshots or outdated navigation instructions.
Open Andhra Pradesh Police Citizen ServicesIf the citizen portal is unavailable or its menu has changed, use the relevant official Andhra Pradesh Police district website and look for Citizen Services, Petition, PGRS, Complaint, FIR or View FIR services.
How to Lodge a Police Complaint Online in Andhra Pradesh
-
Open the Andhra Pradesh Police Citizen Portal
Visit the official citizen-service portal at citizen.appolice.gov.in.
Do not use unofficial websites claiming to register an Andhra Pradesh FIR unless you have independently verified that the website belongs to the Government of Andhra Pradesh or Andhra Pradesh Police.
-
Select the Complaint or Petition Service
Look for the available Citizen Services, Complaint or Petition option. Menu names may change when the police portal is updated. Older versions of the portal used options such as Lodge a Petition.
-
Register or Log In
If citizen registration is required, enter the information requested by the portal. Depending on the service, this may include:
- Name
- Mobile number
- Email address
- Address
- District
- Police station or area concerned
- Login credentials
- OTP verification
Enter your contact details carefully because acknowledgements or further communication may be sent to the registered mobile number or email address.
-
Enter Details of the Incident
Provide a clear and factual description of the incident. The complaint should preferably contain:
- Date and time of the incident.
- Place where the incident occurred.
- Name and details of the complainant.
- Details of the accused or suspect, if known.
- Names and contact details of witnesses, if available.
- Description of the offence.
- Details of property, documents or money involved.
- Details of injuries or loss, wherever applicable.
- Supporting documents, photographs or other evidence, if the portal allows uploads.
Keep the description factual and avoid unnecessary allegations that cannot be supported by evidence.
-
Submit the Complaint
Review the information before submitting the online form. If the portal generates a petition number, acknowledgement number or reference number, save it immediately.
Keep a screenshot or downloaded copy of the acknowledgement for future reference.
-
Track the Complaint
Use the relevant petition or grievance-status facility on the official police portal, wherever available. The PGRS system is designed to provide acknowledgement and monitoring of petitions.
Some district police websites also provide FIR-related services such as "View FIR". Availability may differ by district.
What Does the BNSS Say About Online FIR Information?
The principal provision is Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- Information concerning a cognizable offence may be given orally or electronically.
- It may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.
- Electronic information must be signed by the informant within three days to be taken on record.
- The substance of the information is entered in the prescribed police record.
The Ministry of Home Affairs also clarified in August 2026 that Section 173 BNSS provides for information concerning cognizable offences to be given by electronic communication and requires electronic communication to be signed within three days by the informant for it to be taken on record.
Can a Zero FIR Be Registered?
Yes. Section 173(1) BNSS states that information relating to a cognizable offence may be given irrespective of the area where the offence is committed. This supports approaching a police station even where territorial jurisdiction may ultimately lie with another police station.
A person should therefore not assume that a complaint must be rejected merely because the incident occurred outside the geographical jurisdiction of the police station approached. The exact processing or transfer procedure depends on applicable police procedures and the facts of the case.
What Happens After an Online Complaint?
Submitting an online complaint does not itself determine the final legal action. Depending on the facts, police may:
- Register an FIR where the information discloses a cognizable offence.
- Conduct any preliminary process permitted by law.
- Treat the matter as a petition or grievance and make an enquiry where appropriate.
- Refer the matter to the concerned police station or authority.
- Seek additional information or documents.
- Take other action permissible under the BNSS and applicable law.
Where an FIR is registered, the informant or victim is entitled to a copy of the information as recorded, free of cost, under Section 173(2) BNSS.
What If Police Do Not Register the FIR?
If an officer in charge of a police station refuses to record information relating to a cognizable offence, Section 173(3) BNSS provides a statutory remedy.
The substance of the information may be sent in writing to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied that the information discloses a cognizable offence, the SP may investigate personally or direct investigation by a subordinate police officer.
An online petition should therefore not be regarded as the only remedy where a cognizable offence has been disclosed but an FIR has not been registered.
Andhra Pradesh Police PGRS
The Andhra Pradesh Police Public Grievance Redressal System provides a mechanism for citizens to submit police petitions and monitor their disposal. Official district police information states that petitions are acknowledged and their progress is monitored through the system.
The availability and appearance of individual online services may change as Andhra Pradesh Police updates its citizen-service systems. Always follow the current instructions shown on the official portal.
Special Online Complaint Facilities
Certain categories of complaints may have separate online mechanisms. For example, the Andhra Pradesh NRI / Investment Safety & Security Cell provides an online complaint facility for NRI-related matters, including certain allegations involving cheating, fraud, forgery, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.
AP Police NRI / Investment Safety & Security CellImportant Points Before Filing an Online Complaint
- Use only official Andhra Pradesh Government or Police websites.
- Keep the complaint factual and precise.
- Mention the date, time and place of the incident.
- Provide the correct police station or district if known.
- Preserve the acknowledgement or petition number.
- Keep copies of documents uploaded with the complaint.
- Complete any electronic signature or verification required by the portal within the prescribed period.
- Remember that an online petition or complaint is not necessarily the same as an FIR.
- For a cognizable offence, Section 173 BNSS allows information to be given electronically to police.
- If police refuse to record cognizable-offence information, Section 173(3) BNSS provides a mechanism for approaching the Superintendent of Police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file an FIR online in Andhra Pradesh?
Information relating to a cognizable offence may be given to police through electronic communication under Section 173 BNSS. However, the availability of a particular online e-FIR workflow depends on the police service currently provided through the official Andhra Pradesh Police system. An online petition should not automatically be described as an FIR.
Is an online police petition legally an FIR?
Not necessarily. A petition or grievance submitted through an online police portal is an approach to police. Whether an FIR is registered depends upon the nature of the information, applicable law and police procedure.
What law currently governs FIR registration in India?
Since 1 July 2024, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 as the principal criminal procedural law. Section 173 BNSS deals with information in cognizable cases.
Can I submit FIR information electronically?
Yes. Section 173(1) BNSS permits information relating to a cognizable offence to be given by electronic communication. The electronic information must be signed by the informant within three days for it to be taken on record.
What should I do if police refuse to register my FIR?
For information disclosing a cognizable offence, Section 173(3) BNSS permits the aggrieved person to send the substance of the information to the Superintendent of Police concerned. Further legal remedies may also be available depending on the facts.
Can I check an FIR online?
Some Andhra Pradesh district police websites provide online FIR-related services, including View FIR. Availability may differ by district and service.