Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P. (2013) | Is FIR Registration Mandatory?

When must police register an FIR? This video explains the five-judge Supreme Court decision in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2013), a landmark case on Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. We cover the facts of the case, the meaning of a cognizable offence, the Court’s reasons for mandatory FIR registration, the distinction between an FIR and a general diary entry, and the limited role of a preliminary inquiry under the judgment. LEGAL UPDATE: The video discusses the 2013 ruling under the CrPC. The current Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), addresses information about cognizable offences in Section 173. Under Section 173(3), police may conduct a preliminary enquiry for specified offences punishable by three years or more but less than seven years, with prior permission from an officer of at least Deputy Superintendent of Police rank, within fourteen days. Read the current statute alongside the judgment. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Must police register an FIR? 00:50 Why the case matters 02:30 Facts of Lalita Kumari’s case 04:03 How the issue reached a Constitution Bench 04:40 The main legal question 05:31 Sections 154, 156 and 157 CrPC 06:21 Arguments from both sides 08:19 The Court’s reading of Section 154 09:31 Why the word “shall” matters 10:39 FIR book versus general diary 11:47 Meaning of “information” 12:33 FIR registration and Article 21 13:38 The Supreme Court’s holding 15:13 When a preliminary inquiry may be held 16:45 Final recap 📚 Free notes, quizzes & more: https://www.thelaweasy.com #LalitaKumari #FIR #CriminalProcedure