Do prelim probe before filing FIRs against businessmen, UP police told

The Uttar Pradesh government has directed police officials to conduct a preliminary investigation before registering FIRs naming people running commercial, manufacturing or medical and educational establishments, to ensure that they are not harassed over cases filed out of business rivalry.

The order has been issued in a bid to further improve ease of doing business and ensure no adverse environment is created for investors. However, this direction is not applicable for cognisable offences.

It is directed to find out whether or not people being named in the FIRs are directly involved in the incident taken place inside their establishments or are being named out of rivalry, a circular issued by director general of police Vijaya Kumar read. "The aim is to reduce instances of lodging FIRs by giving civil matters a criminal form as well as to control habitual complainants who misuse judicial process. This will ensure no adverse environment is created in the state for investors," it said.