Members of the legal fraternity say this merely adds an additional layer in FIR registration, which is difficult enough for the common man in the first place. A first information report (FIR) is usually registered under Section 154 of the CrPC. In this case, the lower courts exercised the powers of Justice of Peace through a sessions or additional sessions judge. There is nothing in Section 154 that says a person, who has come to register an FIR, should go to Complaint Redressal Centres first. Advocate Siddiqui added that the procedure may lead to delays in FIR registration and ultimately favour the accused in certain cases.

Source: The Express Tribune April 25, 2019 05:48 UTC