India Police Now Register Crime Reports at Victims' Homes

For victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or abuse, the last thing they need is another ordeal at a police station. Telangana's police force just became the first in India to bring the paperwork to them.

Starting this month, officers will travel to victims' homes, hospitals, or anywhere they feel safe to register First Information Reports for seven categories of sensitive crimes. No more waiting rooms. No more having to relive trauma in a crowded station.

The program covers crimes against women and children, serious bodily harm cases, and violations under special protection laws including child marriage prevention and anti-ragging statutes. Officers will record complaints on-site, secure evidence, and file the official report back at the station.

Victims receive their FIR copy by email, WhatsApp, or hard copy without ever stepping foot in a precinct. The process eliminates delays that often compound suffering and can mean the difference between preserved evidence and lost justice.

"Victims are already distressed," says Charu Sinha, Additional Director General of the Crime Investigation Department. "The idea is to be sensitive to citizens' condition and needs, and not to keep them waiting at police stations."

Police across all districts are currently undergoing training on the new standard procedures, with full rollout expected within weeks. The guidelines include strict timelines and specific protocols for each crime category.

The Ripple Effect

This shift from station-centered to citizen-centered policing could transform how vulnerable populations interact with law enforcement across India. When a hospital patient recovering from assault doesn't have to choose between healing and justice, that's progress that ripples beyond one state.

Other jurisdictions watching Telangana's model may soon follow, potentially bringing dignity-first crime reporting to millions. For survivors who've carried the double burden of victimization and bureaucratic insensitivity, someone finally moved the mountain to them.

One small policy change is teaching an entire justice system what empathy looks like in action.