Baramulla, March 02, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move towards modernising law enforcement, Police Station Pattan in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir has registered its first-ever electronic First Information Report (e-FIR) following a complaint submitted through WhatsApp on February 28. The initiative, announced by Baramulla Police on Sunday, marks a significant step in embracing digital policing to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the region.
The complaint was lodged by a government employee from Bemina, Srinagar, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons. The individual, employed in the Horticulture Department, accused a colleague, Shakeel-Ur-Rehman, also a government employee in the same department, of serious offenses including sexual harassment, attempted rape, and criminal intimidation. After reviewing the complaint, authorities at Police Station Pattan acted swiftly, registering the e-FIR under Case FIR No. 30/2025, citing relevant sections of the law. The investigation is now underway, with officials promising a thorough probe into the allegations.
This milestone reflects a broader push towards integrating technology into policing in Jammu and Kashmir. The use of WhatsApp, a widely accessible platform, allowed the complainant to report the incident remotely, bypassing traditional in-person filing processes that can sometimes deter victims due to logistical or social barriers. Baramulla Police highlighted the move as a leap towards “digital policing,” aimed at making justice more approachable and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The adoption of e-FIRs aligns with national efforts to streamline law enforcement through digital tools, a trend gaining traction across India. In Jammu and Kashmir, where geographical challenges and security concerns can complicate access to police stations, this innovation could prove transformative.
While this marks the first e-FIR at Police Station Pattan, it builds on existing frameworks like the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a Government of India initiative operational since 2013, which has digitized police records nationwide. The WhatsApp-based e-FIR takes this a step further by leveraging a common communication tool, signaling a practical evolution in how complaints are received and processed.
Local residents and observers have welcomed the development, though some expressed curiosity about the procedural details and safeguards ensuring the authenticity of such complaints. Baramulla Police have not yet released a detailed statement on the verification process, but the swift registration of the case suggests a mechanism is in place to validate submissions before formal action.
As the investigation into the February 28 complaint progresses, the successful registration of this e-FIR could pave the way for wider adoption of digital reporting across Jammu and Kashmir. For now, Police Station Pattan’s initiative stands as a pioneering example of how technology can bridge gaps in justice delivery, offering a glimpse into the future of policing in the region.