Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct ? 1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station. 2. The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry. 3. Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically. Select the answer using the code given below :

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which replaces the colonial-era Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), introduces significant procedural reforms to the First Information Report (FIR) mechanism under Section 173.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The provision for a Zero FIR applies exclusively to cognizable offences, not non-cognizable offences. Under Section 173(1) of the BNSS, if the police receive information about a cognizable offence, they must register it irrespective of the territorial jurisdiction where the crime occurred. This is registered without a serial number (hence 'Zero FIR') and transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction. Non-cognizable offences, governed by Section 174 of the BNSS, do not fall under the Zero FIR framework as police require a Magistrate's authorization to investigate them.

Statement 2 is correct: Section 173(3) of the BNSS introduces a statutory provision for preliminary enquiries. For cognizable offences punishable with imprisonment of 3 to less than 7 years, the Officer-in-Charge may conduct a preliminary enquiry to ascertain if a prima facie case exists. However, this requires prior permission from a competent authority (an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police) and must be concluded within 14 days.

Statement 3 is incorrect: It is not obligatory to furnish information electronically. Section 173(1) of the BNSS expressly permits information to be given "orally or by electronic communication". While the BNSS officially integrates the 'e-FIR', traditional oral or written submissions remain entirely valid. If filed electronically, the informant must sign the record within three days for it to be formally registered.

Takeaway: BNSS 2023 codifies Zero FIRs and e-FIRs solely for cognizable offences, while introducing a 14-day preliminary enquiry filter for offences with 3–7 year punishments to prevent arbitrary arrests.