Which of the following statements about a Zero First Information Report (Zero FIR) under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 is/are correct?

1. A Zero FIR can be lodged at a police station, even though the place of commission of a cognizable/non-cognizable offence is outside the territorial jurisdiction of that police station.

2. The Officer-in-Charge of the police station where a Zero FIR has been lodged may, with the permission of the competent authority, initiate a preliminary enquiry.

3. Under Zero FIR, it is obligatory for the informant to furnish information electronically.

Detailed Breakdown of the StatementsStatement 1 is INCORRECT:While a Zero FIR does bypass territorial boundaries, Section 173(1) of the BNSS, 2023 specifies that it can only be registered for cognizable offences, irrespective of where the crime occurred. It does not apply to non-cognizable offences. For non-cognizable offences, the police follow the procedure under Section 174, where they enter the substance in a separate diary and refer the informant to a Magistrate. Statement 2 is CORRECT:Under Section 173(3) of the BNSS, if the information received pertains to a cognizable offence punishable with an imprisonment term of three years or more but less than seven years, the Officer-in-Charge can initiate a time-bound preliminary enquiry (to be completed within 14 days) to ascertain if a prima facie case exists. This requires prior permission from an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (the competent authority). Statement 3 is INCORRECT:It is not obligatory for the informant to submit information electronically. Section 173(1) clearly provides a choice: information regarding a cognizable offence may be given orally or by electronic communication. If it is submitted electronically (as an e-FIR), it must be signed by the informant within three days to be officially taken on record. SummarySince only Statement 2 is factually correct under the provisions of the BNSS, 2023, option (d) is the accurate choice.