Public has no right to online FIR access beyond accused, informant, or victim; restricted to sensitive cases per Supreme Court guidelines.

ORDER :

1. The prayer in this writ petition is to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to restore online public access to FIRs, except, in cases relating to offences, against women, sexual offences and SC/ST Act under the CCTNS 2.O systems, based on the petitioner's representation dated 04.04.2026.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that previously FIRs registered by the Tamil Nadu Police except those relating to offences against women, sexual offences and SC/ST Act, were accessible through online to the public. However, after the implementation of CCTNS 2.0 project, public access to view FIRs is barred and at present FIRs are accessible only to complainant and investigating officer, due to which, advocates and litigants are unable to access FIR details which causes considerable delay in approaching the courts for legal remedies including anticipatory bail.

3. Learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the 1^st respondent would submit that as per CCTNS 1.0 Application, till 26.02.2026, any citizen can download an FIR, for which, they must enter their mobile number and verify it using OTP to view the FIR. Only FIRs registered on or after 14.11.2016 are available under 'view FIR' option. On 26.02.2026, CCTNS 2.0 portal (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) was launched in Tamil Nadu police, as per which, citizens must register one time by giving their basic details such as, name, date of birth, mobile number etc., to obtain user credentials for certain services such as, view FIR, FIR status, CSR status and paid services. After the said one time registration, any FIRs that are registered on or after 14.11.2026 are available under the 'view FIR'. He would also submit that the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Youth Bar Association of India vs. Union of India and another,  (2016) 9 SCC 473, has set out various guidelines in the subject matter.

4. Heard both sides and perused the record.

5. As far as uploading of FIRs is concerned, the Apex Court in Youth Bar Association of India's case (supra) has issued the following directions:

''11. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we think it appropriate to record the requisite conclusions and, thereafter, proceed to issue the directions:-

11.1. An accused is entitled to get a copy of the First Information Report at an earlier stage than as prescribed under Section 207 of the Cr.P.C.

11.2. An accused who has reasons to suspect that he has been roped in a criminal case and his name may be finding place in a First Information Report can submit an application through his representative/agent/parokar for grant of a certified copy before the concerned police officer or to the Superintendent of Police on payment of such fee which is payable for obtaining such a copy from the Court. On such application being made, the copy shall be supplied within twenty-four hours.

11.3. Once the First Information Report is forwarded by the police station to the concerned Magistrate or any Special Judge, on an application being filed for certified copy on behalf of the accused, the same shall be given by the Court concerned within two working days. The aforesaid direction has nothing to do with the statutory mandate inhered under Section 207 of the Cr.P.C.

11.4. The copies of the FIRs, unless the offence is sensitive in nature, like sexual offences, offences pertaining to insurgency, terrorism and of that category, offences under POCSO Act and such other offences, should be uploaded on the police website, and if there is no such website, on the official website of the State Government, within twenty-four hours of the registration of the First Information Report so that the accused or any person conne