Archive · 30 Aug 2026
NCW Chief Urges Women to Use Zero FIR Rights
Vijaya Rahatkar told women that they can file a Zero FIR at any nearby police station.
This is allowed when a serious offence has happened, even if it happened somewhere else.
The police station should register the complaint and send it to the correct station.
If officers refuse, women can give a written complaint to a senior police officer.
Rahatkar shared this advice in a pamphlet and on X. Her message came after a workshop for women elected to local government in Maharashtra.
More than 300 women attended the workshop.
The training discussed leadership, public service, government schemes and knowing one’s rights.
National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said women can file a Zero FIR at any police station for a cognizable offence.
The complaint is transferred to the police station with jurisdiction after registration, she said.
Rahatkar advised women to submit a written complaint and contact a senior police officer if police refuse to register the FIR.
Her message followed a capacity-building workshop for elected women representatives in Maharashtra.
More than 300 representatives from three districts attended the workshop, which focused on leadership, rights, responsibilities and transparency.
- Who
- National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar addressed women, including elected women representatives.
- What
- Rahatkar explained women’s right to file a Zero FIR for a cognizable offence at any police station and discussed training for women local-government representatives.
- When
- The Zero FIR message was posted on Sunday, after a workshop held the previous day.
- Where
- The complaint can be filed at any convenient police station; the workshop was held at MGM Medical College in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The effort aimed to improve awareness of women’s legal rights and strengthen the leadership and governance skills of elected women representatives.
- Speaker
- Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women
- Zero FIR rule
- A woman may file a complaint for a cognizable offence at any police station, regardless of where the incident occurred.
- Transfer process
- After registration, the Zero FIR is transferred to the police station with jurisdiction.
- If police refuse
- The complainant should submit a written complaint and contact a senior police officer.
- Workshop participants
- More than 300 women representatives attended.
- Districts represented
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and Beed.
- Planned programme
- The National Commission for Women plans to organise 12 training camps across Maharashtra.