2.1 The Criminal File Begins with Information

Criminal proceedings start with information about an offence. Two documents carry that information.• The First Information Report (FIR) — the earliest report of a cognizable offence to the police or the District Court. Anyone with knowledge can lodge it.• The complaint — a formal accusation to the court where the case is non-cognizable or where the law requires a victim's complaint.The student's first drafting exercise is a clean FIR: the informant's details, the offence's facts in time order, the place, the witnesses, and the request for investigation.