he Orissa High Court has recently ruled that a Magistrate must hear submissions of the police officer when they refuse to register a First Information Report (FIR). This Court mandates that the Magistrate consider the police officer’s reasons for refusal, along with the complainant’s affidavit to the Superintendent of Police, and ensure a proper inquiry before ordering an investigation. The ruling came in response to a petition from an individual whose FIR was not registered, leading her to directly approach the High Court instead of the judicial Magistrate.