A landmark order passed by a division bench of the Delhi High Court reiterating principles of natural justice has ordered the Delhi police to begin uploading all First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in the city to the world wide web within 24 hours of filing.

The court said that the police should implement the order by 1 February 2011, reported the Times of India.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan was assisted by the additional solicitor general A S Chandiok and amicus curie Arvind Nigam in suggesting ways to improve the criminal justice system.

The bench said: "Fair and impartial investigation is a facet of Article 21 of the Constitution and presumption as regards the innocence of an accused is a right. Therefore, a person booked under criminal law has a right to know the nature of allegations so that he can take necessary steps to safeguard his liberty.”

The court observed that it is the duty of the police to inform the accused the grounds on which he is charged without him having to move the court for a copy of an FIR.

The court also added that recording an FIR in discharge of an official duty fell within the purview of the Evidence Act 1872 under Section 74 that deals with public documents.