How to File a Case in Bangladesh: GD vs FIR vs Complaint Case, and What to Do If Police Refuse

In this guide: Filing a GD · Filing an FIR (police case) · When the police refuse your case · Drafting a complaint petition that survives · Before you file: two warnings

The short answer

• GD (General Diary): for recording information, a lost item, a threat, or a non-cognizable offence. It is a record, not a case.
• FIR (police case, “mamla”): for cognizable offences such as theft, assault causing hurt, fraud, abduction or murder. The police register and investigate.
• Complaint case (nalishi mamla): a petition directly to a Magistrate’s court. Use it where the police will not act, where you want the court to control the case, or where the law requires it.

Filing a GD

Go to the police station for the area where the incident happened, give a short written application with your name, NID and phone number, and ask for the GD number and a copy with the duty officer’s signature. For lost documents and items (NID, passport, phone, certificates) you can file an Online GD through the Bangladesh Police portal or the “Online GD” app.

A GD about a threat is useful evidence if something happens later. But for a non-cognizable offence, police cannot investigate on a GD alone: they need a Magistrate’s permission (section 155).

Filing an FIR (police case)

For a cognizable offence, the officer in charge must record the information under section 154. Give a clear written ejahar: who did what, when, where, which witnesses saw it, and any injuries or losses. Sign it, get the case number, and ask for a copy of the FIR. If there are injuries, get a medical certificate from a government hospital as early as possible.

Under the 2026 amendments, the investigation must ordinarily be completed within 60 working days, extendable by a Magistrate, and there are new safeguards on arrest.

When the police refuse your case

This is common in land disputes, family disputes and cases against influential people. You have options:

1. Escalate in writing to the Superintendent of Police or, in a metropolitan area, the Deputy Commissioner or Police Commissioner. Keep the received copy.
2. File a complaint petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrate or Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (section 200). The Magistrate examines you on oath and can take cognizance, direct an inquiry or police investigation, or dismiss the petition if no offence is disclosed.
3. Special laws have their own routes. Women and children repression cases can be filed before the Nari-o-Shishu Tribunal, and cyber offences before the Cyber Tribunal, where police do not register the case.

Refusal is also something to put on record: it strengthens your petition to the court.

Drafting a complaint petition that survives

• Set out facts in date order, not conclusions.
• Name each accused and say exactly what each did.
• List witnesses with addresses and what they saw.
• Attach documents: deeds, messages, medical certificates, earlier GD copies.
• Choose the right sections. Wrong sections are a common reason for dismissal or delay.

Before you file: two warnings

First, a knowingly false case exposes the complainant to prosecution and compensation. Second, some disputes that feel criminal are really civil, such as a buyer who will not hand over land or a business partner who will not pay. Filing them as criminal cases often fails and can be quashed. Some family, dowry and similar disputes also now require pre-case mediation in rollout districts. Get advice on the right forum first.