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Police misconduct

Threats, harassment or violence by police, or refusing to register your complaint (FIR)

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Police
01
Write down what happened
Who: You — today, while you remember
Officer's name or badge number, place, time, vehicle number, what was said, and any payment proof.
Rule: Notes made the same day carry weight with every authority
Now
02
Written complaint to a senior officer
Who: Superintendent / Deputy Commissioner of Police for that area (email or post, keep the receipt)
An acknowledgement; the senior officer can order the FIR or an inquiry.
Rule: BNSS 2023, s.173(4): if a police station won't register your complaint, you can send it to the SP/DCP
⏱ 15 days
03
Police Complaints Authority
Who: District Police Complaints Authority (State authority for SP rank and above)
An independent inquiry into the officer's conduct.
Rule: Set up in every state after Prakash Singh v Union of India (2006)
⏱ 30 days
04
Free legal help to approach the magistrate
Who: Legal Services Authority (15100) — free advice for anyone; a free lawyer if you qualify, for a complaint to the Judicial Magistrate
A court-ordered investigation if the police won't act.
Rule: BNSS 2023, s.175(3): the magistrate can order the police to investigate
Final

Guidance, not legal advice. Timelines come from published rules and are rounded up so you never escalate too early.

Common questions

Where do I complain about police misconduct?

In this order: 1. Write down what happened (You — today, while you remember), 2. Written complaint to a senior officer (Superintendent / Deputy Commissioner of Police for that area (email or post, keep the receipt)), 3. Police Complaints Authority (District Police Complaints Authority (State authority for SP rank and above)), 4. Free legal help to approach the magistrate (Legal Services Authority (15100) — free advice for anyone; a free lawyer if you qualify, for a complaint to the Judicial Magistrate).

How long do I wait at each step?

Write down what happened: straight away; Written complaint to a senior officer: 15 days; Police Complaints Authority: 30 days; Free legal help to approach the magistrate: the final step.

What is the final step?

Free legal help to approach the magistrate: A court-ordered investigation if the police won't act.