In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed all states and Union Territories to upload first information reports (FIRs) on their websites within 24 hours of registration at police stations.
A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and C Nagappan, however, extended the time up to 72 hours for uploading of the FIRs for states that are located in difficult terrains where internet connectivity is poor.
The apex court exempted the state police authorities from uploading the FIRs on sensitive cases pertaining to insurgency and sexual offences against women and children.
The bench also made it clear that the accused cannot take benefit before the courts of law of the fact that FIRs lodged against them have not been uploaded on the website.
The direction came on a PIL filed by the Youth Lawyers Association of India on the issue. The PIL referred to a decision of the Delhi high court in which the city police was directed to upload FIRs on its website within 24 hours of being registered.
The apex court agreed to the directions of the HC with certain modifications.