Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court has ordered police to register FIRs immediately after receiving information about a cognizable offense.
- Delays in registration can lead to legal and departmental action against responsible officials.
- The court directed the submission of district-wise details of murder cases where FIR registration took more than 24 hours.
The Supreme Court has issued a directive ordering police to register FIRs immediately after receiving information about a cognizable offense, according to a seven-page judgment authored by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar.
The court dismissed a jail petition filed by convict Ali Raza in a 2012 murder case in Dadu, noting that the police had registered the FIR more than three days after receiving information about the murder.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the continued practice of delayed FIR registration in Sindh, despite previous Supreme Court directions.
The court reiterated its directions from the Muhammad Bux case, under which provincial police chiefs must ensure prompt registration of FIRs once information about a cognizable offense reaches the officer in charge of a police station.
The Supreme Court warned that delays can lead to the loss or deterioration of evidence, particularly forensic evidence, and affect the merits of a case.
Trial courts are directed to take notice when police delay registration despite being aware of a cognizable offense, and determine the reason for the delay and take action permitted under the law.
Proceedings under Section 201 of the Pakistan Penal Code may also be initiated where legal requirements are met.
The court directed the prosecutor general of Sindh to submit district-wise details of murder cases from January 1, 2025, in which FIR registration took more than 24 hours. The report must be submitted within two months.
The Supreme Court also warned that further non-compliance with its Muhammad Bux judgment could lead to contempt proceedings against senior police officials.
The court directed that the Muhammad Bux judgment be translated into Sindhi and uploaded to its website.
The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed Ali Raza’s jail petition and refused leave to appeal.
