Difficulties in filing the FIR by LGBTQ+ Persons

If the police officer refuses to file an FIR or harasses you because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, then you can take the steps below:

• Write a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP) in writing. The SP may conduct the investigation himself or order his subordinate police officers to carry it out.
• Take the help of a lawyer while going to the police station. This is useful as lawyers will be able to advocate on your behalf and the possibility of harassment you may face from police officers will be less.
• Go to another police station nearby to file the FIR. This is known as Zero FIR where an FIR can be filed at any police station and the police officers have to mandatory record the information provided, and then transfer it to the police station in whose area/jurisdiction the offense took place.
• Request someone else to file the FIR on your behalf. You can give this person details of the violence/harassment that you have faced.
• Approach the District/Judicial Magistrate directly to file a ‘private complaint’, but only after going to the police.

Approach other complaint forums like the National/State Human Rights Commission, National/State Women’s Commission who will not only assist you in approaching the police, but also look into the incident of violence/harassment themselves.