New Delhi, July 28: The central government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that since May 2025, New Delhi and Chandigarh have recorded the highest number of e-zero FIRs related to cyber crimes, particularly cyber financial fraud. In New Delhi, 6,115 e-zero FIRs have been registered, while Chandigarh has reported 4,174.
In response to a query, Minister of State for Home Affairs B. Sanjay Kumar stated that under Section 173(1) of the Indian Citizens Security Code (BNSS), it is mandatory to inform the officer in charge of the police station about any cognizable offense, regardless of where it occurred, either verbally or through electronic communication.
He added that the central government has provided a platform for states and union territories to register e-zero FIRs for cyber crime cases, especially cyber financial fraud. Eighteen states and union territories have begun registering e-zero FIRs for these offenses.
According to the data shared by the minister, Uttarakhand has recorded 552 e-zero FIRs since March 2026, while Goa has reported 446 since January 2026. Rajasthan has seen 251 e-zero FIRs since January 2026, Assam has 223 cases since June 2026, and Haryana has 165 cases since June 2026. Maharashtra has reported 131 cases, Tamil Nadu has 39, and Bihar has recorded 12 cases since July 2026.
Regarding the platform for registering e-zero FIRs for cyber crimes, the minister explained that complaints registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) or the helpline ‘1930’, which involve a certain financial loss threshold set by the respective state or union territory, will automatically be registered as e-zero FIRs at the state’s e-crime police station. These will then be promptly transferred to the relevant local cyber crime police station.
He emphasized that complainants must visit the respective police station within three days to convert the zero FIR into a regular FIR. According to the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, ‘police’ and ‘public order’ are state subjects.
Law enforcement agencies of the respective state or union territory handle the complaints of cyber financial fraud registered on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, converting them into FIRs, filing charge sheets, making arrests, and resolving complaints as per legal provisions.
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