File FIR or Police Complaint Online with Patna Police, Bihar

Bihar Police provides online citizen services through its official website and the Bihar Citizen Services Portal. Residents of Patna and other districts can submit police complaints online, access FIR-related services and use other digital police services without necessarily visiting a police station for the initial submission.

However, it is important to distinguish between an online police complaint/e-complaint and an FIR. Submission of an online complaint does not automatically mean that an FIR has been registered. Where the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police are required to deal with it in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).

The Bihar Police website currently provides Public Grievance, ERSS Online Complaint, View FIR, Nearest Police Station, Missing Persons, Theft Vehicles and other citizen services.

Official Bihar Police Online Complaint Portal

The safest way to access the current online complaint facility is through the official Bihar Police website or the Bihar Citizen Services Portal.

Official Bihar Police Website:
https://police.bihar.gov.in/

Bihar Citizen Services Portal:
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

The current Citizen Services Portal includes an e-complaint facility and also provides a facility to obtain/view a copy of an FIR registered within Bihar.

Can an FIR Be Filed Online in Bihar?

The legal position has changed since the introduction of the new criminal laws.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure for new proceedings from 1 July 2024, specifically recognises electronic communication of information concerning a cognizable offence.

Section 173 BNSS - Information in Cognizable Cases
Under Section 173(1) BNSS, information relating to a cognizable offence may be given orally or by electronic communication to the officer in charge of a police station, irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.

Where information is sent electronically, it must be signed by the person giving the information within three days for it to be taken on record.

The provision therefore provides statutory recognition to electronic communication of information relating to cognizable offences.

A copy of the information recorded under Section 173 is to be provided free of cost to the informant or victim.

Important: Online Complaint Is Not Always an FIR

The Bihar Police online portal uses the terminology e-complaint, public grievance and ERSS online complaint for different services. Therefore, an online submission should not automatically be described as an FIR.

If the facts disclosed in the complaint constitute a cognizable offence, the police must process the information under the applicable provisions of BNSS. Depending upon the offence and statutory requirements, the police may register an FIR or, in cases covered by Section 173(3), conduct a preliminary inquiry.

This distinction is particularly important when publishing information about "online FIR" services.

Steps to File a Police Complaint Online with Bihar Police

Step 1 - Visit the Official Bihar Police Website

Open the official Bihar Police website:

https://police.bihar.gov.in/

The current website provides a Quick Citizen Services section containing links for:

Public Grievance
ERSS Online Complaint
View FIR
Nearest Police Station
Report Cyber Crime
Missing Persons
Vehicle Enquiry
Other police services.

Step 2 - Open Citizen Services

You may also directly access the Bihar Citizen Services Portal:

Bihar Citizen Services Portal
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

The portal currently provides several services both with and without login. The e-complaint facility is available among the citizen services.

Step 3 - Select the Appropriate Complaint Service

Select the service applicable to your situation.

Depending on the nature of the matter, the Bihar Police website provides options such as:

Public Grievance
ERSS Online Complaint
Cyber Crime
Missing Persons
Vehicle Theft
Other citizen services.

For a crime requiring immediate police intervention, the emergency response system should be used rather than relying solely on an ordinary online grievance.

Step 4 - Enter Your Personal Details

The online complaint form may require information such as:

Name of complainant
Mobile number
Email address
Address
District
Police station
Other contact information

Enter your details accurately so that the police can contact you if further information or verification is required.

Step 5 - Enter Details of the Incident

Provide a clear and chronological description of the incident.

You should normally mention:

1. Date of the incident
2. Approximate time
3. Place of occurrence
4. Names of persons involved, if known
5. Description of the incident
6. Details of property involved, where applicable
7. Names and contact details of witnesses, if available
8. Details of injuries or threats, if any
9. Details of previous complaints, if relevant
10. Any other information that may assist investigation

Avoid exaggerated, speculative or knowingly incorrect allegations.

Step 6 - Upload Supporting Documents

If the portal permits attachments, upload relevant supporting material.

Depending upon the nature of the complaint, this may include:

Photographs
Documents
Bills or invoices
CCTV footage
Screenshots
Bank transaction details
Identity or ownership documents
Medical documents
Other evidence relevant to the incident

Keep the original documents and electronic evidence safely preserved.

Step 7 - Submit the Complaint

Review all information before submitting the form.

After submission, retain the complaint/reference number, acknowledgement, screenshot or other proof generated by the portal.

This information may be required to track the complaint or communicate with the police.

How to Check or Obtain an FIR Copy Online

Bihar Police currently provides an online View FIR facility through which citizens can view and download an FIR copy. The official Bihar Police website specifically lists View FIR as a citizen service.

Bihar Police - View FIR / Citizen Services
https://citizenservicesportal.bihar.gov.in/portal/

If an FIR has actually been registered, use the official FIR-search/view facility to obtain the available electronic copy.

What If the Offence Took Place Outside Patna?
Section 173(1) BNSS provides that information relating to a cognizable offence may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. This statutory framework supports the concept commonly referred to as a Zero FIR.

Therefore, a person should not assume that the police can refuse to receive information solely because the offence occurred outside the territorial jurisdiction of a particular police station.

The matter can subsequently be dealt with by the police station having jurisdiction as required by law.

What Happens After an Online Complaint?
The subsequent action depends upon the nature of the information and the offence disclosed.

For a cognizable offence, Section 173 BNSS governs the receipt of information.

For certain cognizable offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more but less than seven years, Section 173(3) permits the officer in charge, with prior permission of an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, to conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether a prima facie case exists. The inquiry is to be completed within 14 days, or the police may proceed with investigation where a prima facie case exists.

This means that an online complaint should not be interpreted as a guarantee that an FIR number will be generated immediately in every case.

What If the Police Refuse to Register Information About a Cognizable Offence?

Section 173(4) BNSS provides an escalation mechanism where an officer in charge refuses to record information relating to a cognizable offence.

The aggrieved person may send the substance of the information in writing and by post to the Superintendent of Police concerned. If the Superintendent of Police is satisfied that the information discloses a cognizable offence, the SP may investigate the case or direct investigation by a subordinate police officer.

The person may also approach the Magistrate in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.

Emergency Police Assistance in Bihar
For an emergency requiring immediate police assistance, Bihar Police currently lists 112 as its emergency helpline. The official Bihar Police website also lists 1930 for cyber crime and other helplines.

Bihar Police Emergency Helpline: 112
Bihar Police Official Website - Emergency and Citizen Services
https://police.bihar.gov.in/

Do not wait for an online complaint to be processed where there is an immediate threat to life, ongoing violence, an active criminal incident or an urgent need for police intervention.

Cyber Crime and Online Fraud
Online financial fraud, hacking, identity theft and other cyber offences should generally be reported through the dedicated cyber-crime mechanism rather than treating them as an ordinary police grievance.

Bihar Police currently provides a Report Cyber Crime service and directs citizens to the National Cyber Crime Reporting mechanism. The cyber-fraud helpline listed by Bihar Police is 1930.

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/

If money has been lost through an online financial fraud, immediate reporting is important.

What Information Should You Keep Ready?
Before submitting an online police complaint, keep the following information available:

Full name and mobile number
Email address
Complete address
Date and time of occurrence
Place of occurrence
Police station/district, if known
Detailed description of the incident
Names of accused persons, if known
Names of witnesses, if available
Details of stolen or damaged property
Photographs or videos
CCTV footage
Relevant documents
Transaction details in financial fraud cases
Previous complaint/reference numbers, if any

Older Bihar Police FIR frequently refer to:

Section 154, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
Indian Penal Code, 1860

For offences and proceedings governed by the new criminal-law framework from 1 July 2024, the relevant legislation is now:

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) - substantive criminal offences
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) - criminal procedure
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) - law of evidence

For registration/receipt of information concerning cognizable offences, the key procedural provision is Section 173 BNSS, which replaced the earlier Section 154 CrPC framework.

Common Types of Complaints
Bihar Police's online citizen-service ecosystem covers a broad range of police-related services. Depending upon the portal/service selected, citizens may submit or access information concerning matters such as:

Theft
Robbery
Snatching
Cheating and fraud
Assault
Threats
Missing persons
Vehicle theft
Cyber crime
Women-related offences
Other criminal incidents

The exact categories available on the online form may change as Bihar Police updates its citizen-service platform.

Patna Police and Bihar Police
Patna is a district/commissionerate-level police area within Bihar, but the online citizen services are provided through the broader Bihar Police digital infrastructure.

Accordingly, an older article that directs users to a separate Patna Police form may no longer reflect the current website structure. The preferred approach is to start from the current official Bihar Police website and use the relevant citizen-service link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a police complaint online in Patna?
Yes. Bihar Police currently provides online citizen services, including an e-complaint facility. Patna residents can access the service through the Bihar Police/Citizen Services Portal.

Does an online complaint automatically become an FIR?
No. An online complaint and an FIR are not necessarily the same thing. Where the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police must deal with it under Section 173 BNSS and the applicable procedure.

Can information about a cognizable offence be submitted electronically?
Yes. Section 173(1) BNSS expressly permits information relating to a cognizable offence to be given by electronic communication. If submitted electronically, it must be signed within three days by the person giving the information.

Can I file a Zero FIR in Bihar?
Section 173(1) BNSS states that information concerning a cognizable offence may be given irrespective of the area where the offence was committed. This provides statutory support for receiving information without treating territorial jurisdiction as a barrier to the initial recording of information.

Can I download my FIR online?
Yes. Bihar Police currently provides a View FIR service through its online citizen-service system.

What should I do if the matter is urgent?
For immediate police assistance in Bihar, call 112. For cyber financial fraud, Bihar Police lists 1930 as the cyber-crime helpline.

Can I approach a police station instead of filing online?
Yes. The online system is an additional channel for communicating with the police. A person may approach the appropriate police station, particularly where the matter is urgent or the online facility is unsuitable.

Conclusion
Bihar Police has substantially modernised its online citizen-service system. For residents of Patna and other parts of Bihar, the current route is to use the official Bihar Police website or Bihar Citizen Services Portal for online complaints and other police services.

The most important legal change is the replacement of the earlier CrPC/IPC framework by the BNSS, BNS and BSA from 1 July 2024. In particular, Section 173 BNSS expressly recognises electronic communication of information concerning cognizable offences, subject to the statutory requirements.

An online complaint should therefore be treated as a means of communicating information to the police; whether an FIR is registered depends upon the nature of the allegations and the applicable legal procedure.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Online police portals, service names, forms and procedures may be changed or updated by Bihar Police. Always verify the current procedure through the official Bihar Police website before submitting sensitive information. In an emergency or where there is an immediate threat to life or property, contact the police through 112 rather than relying solely on an online complaint.