Punjab govt withdraws Rs80 FIR download fee notification following massive backlash

FIR download fee:  Following massive backlash from legal activists and opposition, Punjab government on Wednesday withdrew the controversial notification of imposing a Rs 80 fee on downloading FIRs from Saanjh portal. 

However, the government issued a fresh notification saying  with the approval of the Punjab governor, no charges will be levied for downloading FIRs from the Sanjh Portal. 

"No charges shall henceforth be levied for downloading FIRs from the Sanjh Portal,nor shall any charges be taken from applicants obtaining copies of FIRs from Sanjh Kendras," the notification read. 

“The earlier notification imposing an ₹80 service charge has been withdrawn with immediate effect,” it further added.

Advocates Abhishek Malhotra and Vasu Ranjan Shandilya filed a petition in the High Court on Wednesday, stating that the Punjab Police is charging ₹80 to download FIRs from its Sanjh portal/app, which is incorrect.

They argued that the law clearly states that a copy of the FIR must be provided free of cost to the victim or the complainant. The Supreme Court has also previously held that FIRs should be uploaded online so that people can view and download them for free. Older police rules also specify that no fee should be charged for providing a copy of an FIR.

The petition further states that charging money violates people’s fundamental rights, as it creates obstacles for poorer individuals in accessing justice. Since an FIR is a public document, no separate fee should be levied for accessing or obtaining it.