Non-Cognizable Report (NCR)
Why in news?
Delhi Police filed an NCR on January 7, 2026, at Vasant Kunj North station following a JNU administration complaint about objectionable slogans raised during an event on January 5, marking the 2020 JNU violence anniversary.
About NCR
- A Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) is a police record of a complaint about a non-cognizable offence—an offence where the police cannot arrest without a warrant and cannot investigate without prior approval of a magistrate.
- Nature of Offences: These are generally less serious offences such as defamation, public nuisance, minor assault, or simple hurt.
- Legal Basis: Earlier governed by Section 155 of CrPC, 1973, NCRs are now covered under Section 175 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Difference Between FIR and NCR
| Aspect |
FIR (First Information Report) |
NCR (Non-Cognizable Report) |
| Type of Offence |
Cognizable (serious offences like murder, rape, theft) |
Non-cognizable (minor offences like defamation, nuisance) |
| Police Powers |
Can arrest without warrant; can investigate directly |
Cannot arrest without warrant; investigation only with magistrate’s permission |
| Registration |
Mandatory when cognizable offence reported |
Recorded but complainant is directed to magistrate |
| Authority |
Police initiates investigation |
Magistrate decides whether investigation should proceed |
| Impact |
Leads to criminal trial directly |
Often treated as private wrong; burden of prosecution lies on complainant |
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