Is It Legal to File an FIR from Another City (Jurisdiction) in India?

Yes, it is legal to file an FIR from a city outside the jurisdiction where the offense occurred.

As per Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), 1973, there is no legal bar on registering a First Information Report at any police station, even if it lacks territorial jurisdiction.

This is known as a zero FIR, a concept upheld in cases like Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh, where the Supreme Court ruled that police must register an FIR immediately.

The zero FIR can later be transferred to the appropriate jurisdiction. This ensures access to justice, especially in urgent or sensitive matters.