Procedure for Recording Information

• Any information related to the commission of a cognizable offence, if given orally to an officer in charge of a police station, must be reduced to writing by the officer or under his direction.
• The written information shall be read over to the informant, and if given in writing or reduced to writing, it must be signed by the person providing the information.
• The substance of the information shall be entered in a book maintained by the officer, in a format prescribed by the State Government.

Special Provisions for Women Victims

• If the offence pertains to Sections 326A, 326B, 354, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D, 376E, or 509 of the Indian Penal Code, and is reported by the female victim, the information must be recorded by a woman police officer or another female officer.

Special Provisions for Persons with Disabilities

• If the victim is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, the information shall be:
  a) Recorded at the victim’s residence or another convenient location of their choice.
  b) Conducted in the presence of an interpreter or special educator, as required.
  c) Video recorded for documentation.
  d) Formally recorded by a Judicial Magistrate as per Section 164(5A)(a) of the Code as soon as possible.

Rights of the Informant

• A copy of the recorded information shall be provided free of cost to the informant.

Remedy for Refusal to Register Information

• If a police officer refuses to record the information, the aggrieved person may send the substance of the complaint in writing by post to the Superintendent of Police (SP).
• If the SP is satisfied that the complaint discloses a cognizable offence, he shall:
  a) Personally investigate the case, or
  b) Direct an officer subordinate to him to investigate the matter, who shall have the same powers as an officer in charge of the police station.