Accused Not Traceable The police say they have not located the accused.

ACP / DCP / SP Assistant Commissioner / Deputy Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police, (depending on the police system and jurisdiction). May exercise supervisory powers or consider representations and complaints under the applicable law.

Arrest Grounds Reasons for arrest communicated to the arrested person as required by law.

Bail & Recognizance Conditional release of an accused individual from detention pending judicial proceedings, secured by a personal bond or monetary undertaking.

BW — Bailable Warrant Warrant issued with provision for release on bail in accordance with its terms and law.

Call Detail Records (CDR) Records of telephone calls and related telecom metadata. CDRs are not the same as call recordings or the complete contents of conversations.

Cancellation Report Police report seeking closure of a case or FIR, subject to the competent court's consideration.

Case Diary Investigation record maintained by the investigating police officer under the applicable procedural law.

Case Property Articles, samples, documents or other material connected with a criminal case.

CCTV Footage Obtained The police claim to have collected or accessed video footage.

Complaint Received The police have received a written or oral complaint. Receipt alone does not mean an FIR has been registered or that the allegations are proved.

DD Entry / Daily Diary Entry A record of information, events or action entered in the police station's daily diary. It is not necessarily an FIR.

Disclosure Statement Statement allegedly made by an accused during investigation. Its admissibility is restricted by law; a confession to police is not ordinarily admissible merely because it is recorded.

DO / Duty Officer The police officer assigned to specified station duties, often including recording entries and handling information or FIR formalities.

Documents Collected The police have obtained documents relevant to the investigation.

Enquiry / Preliminary Enquiry An initial examination of information or allegations. It is distinct from a full investigation; whether an enquiry is permissible or required depends on the nature of the matter and applicable law.

Final Report / Police Report The report submitted after investigation under the applicable criminal procedure law. It may recommend prosecution or closure; the Magistrate is not necessarily bound by the police's conclusion.

FIR The primary written record registered by police upon receiving information regarding a cognizable offense, officially initiating investigation.

FIR Registered A First Information Report has been recorded for a cognizable offence.

FSL Pending Forensic examination or the corresponding report remains outstanding.

FSL Report Report from a Forensic Science Laboratory.

Further Investigation Additional investigation undertaken in accordance with law after an earlier police report or other stage.

Investigation in Progress Another way of saying the investigation has not concluded. The report should be read for concrete steps taken and reasons for delay, where relevant.

IO / Investigating Officer The officer responsible for investigating the case.

Joined Investigation The person appeared or participated in the investigation after being called or served with notice. It does not, by itself, establish guilt or innocence, or mean that the person has been formally exonerated.

Malkhana The police station's designated storage facility for seized property and case property. Relevant to the safe custody, inventory and movement of seized articles.

MLC — Medico-Legal Case Medical examination and documentation undertaken in a matter involving potential legal consequences.

NBW — Non-Bailable Warrant Warrant for arrest issued by a court; the term does not mean that bail is legally impossible.

Non-Cooperation The police allege that a person did not adequately assist the investigation.

Notice Issued / Served A notice has been prepared or delivered to a person. Issuance and service are different.

PCR Call A call to the Police Control Room reporting an incident or requesting police assistance. May establish when an incident was reported.

PM Report Post-mortem report recording findings from a medico-legal examination of a deceased person.

PO — Proclaimed Offender A statutory status declared by a competent court when the legal requirements are fulfilled; it is not interchangeable with every form of proclamation.

Pointing-Out Memo Document recording that a person allegedly identified a place or location. Its evidentiary value depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

Police Remand & Custody Temporary detention authorized by a judicial magistrate allowing police to question an accused person while ensuring basic statutory rights.

Procedural Safeguards Mandatory constitutional protections including immediate disclosure of arrest grounds, legal consultation rights, and 24-hour magistrate production.

Recovery Memo Document recording the alleged recovery of an article or object.

Recovery Yet to Be Effected The investigating agency states that an alleged recovery has not yet taken place.

Seizure Memo / Recovery Memo A record of property, documents or articles seized or recovered by the police.

SHO Station House Officer Officer who heads or is in charge of a police station. Relevant when assessing supervisory responsibility, compliance with directions and the handling of a complaint.

Site Plan / Site Map A diagram or plan showing the relevant location and features of the scene.

Statements Recorded Statements of witnesses or other persons have been recorded. Determine under which legal provision the statement was recorded and whether it is admissible for the purpose for which it is being relied upon.

Status Report A report submitted to the court describing the investigation, compliance with directions or present position of a matter.

Supplementary Charge Sheet Additional police report filed after further investigation, where permitted by law.

Tehrir / Rukka Written information or report sent to the police station for registration of an FIR, commonly used in Delhi police practice.

TIP Proceedings Record of a test identification parade.

Under Investigation Investigation is continuing.

Unserved Notice A notice was not delivered or served on the intended recipient. The reason for non-service and the steps taken to effect service may be important.

Untraced Report Report stating that the offender or relevant facts could not be traced despite investigation, subject to the applicable procedure.

Verification of Facts The police are checking the accuracy of information, documents or allegations.

Witness Not Traceable The investigating agency reports that it has been unable to locate a witness.

Common phrases in police status reports

“Accused has joined the investigation.” The accused has attended or participated in the investigation when required; this does not by itself establish innocence or guilt.

“Call detail records have been obtained.” The investigating agency claims to have obtained relevant telecommunications records.

“Investigation is in progress.” The investigation has not been concluded.

“Notice under Section 35 BNSS has been served.” A notice concerning appearance before police has been issued under the applicable provision, subject to the facts and legal requirements.

“Recovery is yet to be effected.” The agency claims that an alleged recovery remains pending.

“The accused is not cooperating.” The agency alleges non-cooperation; the allegation should be assessed against the actual notices, attendance records and conduct.

“The accused is required for custodial interrogation.” The investigating agency seeks custody for questioning; the court must independently assess whether custody is legally justified.

“The charge sheet has been filed.” A police report has been submitted; it does not automatically mean the court has framed charges.

“The FSL result is awaited.” The forensic report has not yet been received.

“The investigation is at a nascent stage.” The investigation is at an early stage.

Accused Found Innocent Police have concluded that the available material does not implicate the person.

Allegations Not Substantiated Police say that the allegations could not be supported by the investigation.

Cancellation report Police recommendation that the FIR or case be closed, often because the allegations are found unsubstantiated or otherwise not fit for prosecution.

Case Abated Proceedings have ended or are affected because of a legally recognised event, commonly the death of an accused in a criminal prosecution.

Challan filed Common police terminology, particularly in North India, for a charge-sheet or prosecution report.

Charge-sheet filed The police have submitted a report alleging sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused.

Disposed of A proceeding has been concluded by an order or other recognised mode of disposal.

Evidence Collected Against the Accused Police claim that the investigation has produced incriminating material.

Final report filed The investigation report has been submitted to the competent Magistrate.

Further Investigation Additional investigation is being undertaken after an earlier report or at another stage permitted by law.

Insufficient Evidence Police state that the collected material is inadequate to support prosecution.

No clue Police say that no useful lead has been found.

Pending FSL Report The forensic laboratory's report has not yet been received.

Pending Sanction The police or prosecution says a legally required sanction has not yet been obtained.

Supplementary Charge-sheet An additional police report filed after further investigation.

Trial Pending The case is before the trial court and has not concluded.

Untraced report The police report that the offender or relevant person could not be traced despite investigation.

3. Terms commonly used in Court and status reports filed before courts

65B Certificate The commonly used name for a certificate under Section 65B of the former Indian Evidence Act concerning certain electronic records. Under the BSA, the applicable electronic-record provisions and certificate requirements must be checked.

Action Taken Report (ATR) A report describing the action taken on a complaint or pursuant to a court's direction.

Adjournment Postponement of a hearing to another date.

Appearance The presence or representation of a party or their advocate before the court.

Appropriate action shall be taken A statement of intended future action, rather than confirmation that the action has already occurred.

As per record The statement is based on the records examined by the reporting officer. It does not independently prove that those records are complete or correct.

Burden of Proof The legal obligation requiring the prosecution to establish the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt before conviction.

Call Detail Records (CDR) Records of telephone communications and related metadata, subject to applicable legal requirements.

Call Out The court announces the case to determine who is present and ready.

Cause List The list of cases scheduled to be taken up by a court on a particular day.

Chain of Custody The documented handling, transfer and storage of evidence from collection to examination or production in court.

Circumstantial Evidence Evidence from surrounding circumstances rather than direct observation of the alleged act. Its legal sufficiency depends on the complete chain of circumstances.

Civil dispute in nature Police suggest that the dispute concerns civil rights or contractual obligations. A civil remedy does not automatically exclude criminal liability where the ingredients of a criminal offence are independently made out.

Charge Sheet The comprehensive investigative report submitted to the magistrate detailing gathered evidence, witness testimonies, and specific legal charges.

Complaint filed / consigned Depending on local usage, the complaint may have been placed on record or closed administratively.

Compliance Report A report asserting that a court's directions have been complied with. Check each direction against the action actually taken.

Confrontation Putting a witness's earlier statement or a relevant document to them to test their testimony, in accordance with applicable law.

Contradiction An inconsistency between a witness's present testimony and an earlier statement, established through the legally prescribed procedure.

Corroboration Additional material that supports a statement or other evidence.

Corroborative Evidence Material said to support other evidence, rather than necessarily proving every element independently.

Court Master / Reader / Ahlmad Court staff handling different administrative, record-management and procedural functions; designations vary by court.

Demeanour The manner, conduct and apparent behaviour of a witness while testifying.

Deposition The recorded testimony of a witness.

Disclosure Statement A statement made by an accused during investigation. Its admissibility is limited by the applicable evidence law; a discovery-related portion may receive different treatment from a general confession to police.

Electronic Evidence Certificate A certificate required in relevant circumstances for electronic records under the applicable evidence law. The requirement and form should be assessed under the governing statute and circumstances.

Exhibit A document or material formally marked as an exhibit during proceedings. Marking alone does not necessarily prove its contents.

FSL Report Report of a Forensic Science Laboratory examining material such as drugs, fingerprints, biological samples or electronic devices.

Hostile Cross-Examination Questioning a witness by the party that called them after permission is granted by the court.

Hostile Witness A witness whose testimony is treated as adverse to the party calling them, subject to the court's permission and applicable procedure. It does not mean that the entire testimony must be discarded.

Independent Witness A witness who is not alleged to be directly interested in the outcome. The weight of testimony depends on the circumstances, not merely the label.

It is respectfully submitted A conventional expression of respect to the court, not a statement that the claim is legally established.

It is submitted that Formal wording used to introduce the police's submission or position before the court.

Item Number The serial number assigned to a case in the cause list.

Jurisdiction does not lie with this police station Police state that the matter falls outside their territorial or other assigned jurisdiction.

Marked for Identification A document or object identified for reference, without necessarily being formally admitted in evidence.

Material Contradiction An inconsistency that may substantially affect the credibility of a witness or a relevant issue.

Matter is being looked into The police indicate that the issue is under examination, without necessarily stating a concluded finding.

Matter is Listed The case has been scheduled for hearing.

Mentioning Requesting the court's attention for urgent listing, an early hearing or another procedural matter.

Motive Established Police claim to have identified a reason for the alleged act. Motive is not automatically proof that the accused committed the offence.

Necessary action has been taken A general assertion that action occurred. The nature, date and supporting record should be identified if disputed.

Next Date / NDOH Next date of hearing; NDOH stands for Next Date of Hearing.

No cognizable offence made out Police contend that the information does not disclose an offence for which the law permits investigation as a cognizable case. The conclusion must be tested against the facts and applicable law.

Not Reached The matter could not be heard before the court finished or moved on.

Objected To An objection raised against a question, document or evidence on a legal ground.

Objection Overruled The court rejects the objection and permits the question or evidence, subject to its ruling.

Objection Sustained The court accepts the objection.

Parties have settled the matter Police report a compromise or settlement. Its legal effect depends on the offence, applicable law and whether judicial permission or an order is required.

Pass Over The court agrees to take up a matter later during the same sitting.

Perjury Giving false evidence or making a legally punishable false statement in circumstances covered by law.

Police status report A report stating the current position of an investigation or other police action. It often use short expressions to explain compliance with a court order or the stage of investigation.

Pronounced in Open Court The decision has been formally delivered in court.

Proxy Counsel An advocate appearing on behalf of the advocate ordinarily conducting the case.

Put Up The matter or file is directed to be placed before the court, often on a specified date or after a particular event.

Record Called For The court has requested the relevant judicial file or record.

Recovery at the Instance of Accused Police allege that an item was recovered following information supplied by the accused. Examine the recovery evidence and the applicable admissibility rules.

Report awaited The police are waiting for a document, opinion, forensic result or response from another authority.

Requisite proceedings initiated The police say that the relevant procedural steps have begun. The actual proceedings and their status should be identified.

Reserved for Orders The court has concluded the relevant hearing and will pronounce its decision later.

Short Date A relatively early date fixed for the next hearing.

Statement before Magistrate Often refers to a statement recorded under Section 183 BNSS; older records may refer to Section 164 CrPC. The exact kind of statement matters.

Statement under Section 180 BNSS Examination of a person by police during investigation under the BNSS; older records may refer to Section 161 CrPC.

Taken Up The court has started hearing the matter.

Test Identification Parade (TIP) A procedure used during investigation to test a witness's ability to identify a suspect; it is not substantive evidence by itself.

Trial & Cross-Examination The formal judicial hearing where prosecution and defense present testimony and test witness credibility before the presiding judge.

Vakalatnama Written authorization given by a client to an advocate to represent them.

Writ Jurisdiction Direct constitutional petitions filed in High Courts or the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights against unlawful administrative action.

4. Civil court and commercial suit terminology

Burden of Proof The legal obligation to establish a fact or claim.

Court Fee The fee payable on a plaint, application or other court document as prescribed by the applicable law.

Decree The formal expression of an adjudication conclusively determining the rights of parties regarding matters in controversy in a suit.

Defendant The person against whom the civil suit is filed.

Ex Parte A proceeding or order made in the absence of the opposing party, subject to applicable procedural requirements.

Execution Petition An application seeking enforcement of a decree or executable order.

Interim Application (IA) An application seeking relief while the main proceeding remains pending.

Interim Injunction A temporary order restraining a party from doing a specified act or, in appropriate cases, directing a particular course of action.

Issues Questions of fact or law identified by the court for adjudication.

Limitation The statutory time limit within which a legal proceeding must be initiated.

Mesne Profits Profits received, or which might with reasonable diligence have been received, by a person in wrongful possession of property, as defined by law.

Onus of Proof The obligation to produce evidence on a particular issue; it may shift during proceedings.

Plaint The pleading by which a civil suit is instituted.

Plaintiff The person who institutes a civil suit.

Pre-Institution Mediation (PIM) Mediation required under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015, in qualifying commercial disputes, subject to the statutory exception for urgent interim relief.

Rejoinder A further response to a reply; its permissibility depends on the procedural context and court directions.

Rendition of Accounts A request that a party disclose and account for financial transactions or dealings relevant to the dispute.

Replication A reply by the plaintiff to the written statement, where permitted or directed by the court.

Replication on Record A replication has been filed and forms part of the judicial record, subject to acceptance and procedural requirements.

Statement of Truth A prescribed verification accompanying pleadings in commercial disputes under the applicable provisions.

Status Quo An order directing the parties to maintain the existing state of affairs as specified by the court.

Stay An order suspending a proceeding, action or operation of an order, depending on its terms.

Written Statement (WS) The defendant's formal response to the plaint.

Written Submissions Written arguments filed by counsel.

5. Criminal court and trial terminology

Accused A person alleged to have committed an offence.

Acquittal A finding that the accused is not guilty, following the applicable legal process.

Arrest Memo Document recording the arrest and relevant particulars.

Bail Release from custody subject to applicable legal conditions.

Bail Bond A bond furnished to secure release or compliance with court directions.

Charge The formal accusation framed by the court against an accused in a trial where the procedure requires it.

Charge Sheet / Police Report The report submitted by police upon completion of investigation under the applicable procedural law.

Cognizance The court's judicial taking notice of an alleged offence for proceeding according to law.

Complainant The person who makes the complaint.

Complaint An allegation made to a competent authority; under criminal procedure, the term has a specific statutory meaning and is not synonymous with an FIR.

Conviction A finding of guilt by the court.

Cross-Examination Questioning a witness by the opposing party or counsel.

DD Entry / Daily Diary Entry An entry in the police station's daily diary recording information or an event.

Defense Evidence (DE) Evidence led by the accused in their defense, where the accused elects to lead it.

Discharge Release from the criminal proceedings at the pre-trial stage where the legal requirements for proceeding are not met.

Examination-in-Chief The initial examination of a witness by the party calling them.

Final Arguments Submissions made after the evidence stage, before judgment.

Final Report A police report concluding the investigation; depending on context, it may recommend prosecution or closure.

FIR First Information Report registered for a cognizable offence.

Hostile Witness A witness whose testimony departs from the party's expected version and whom the court permits to be questioned by that party under the applicable evidence law.

Judgment The court's reasoned decision determining the issues or guilt, as applicable.

Judicial Custody Custody under the authority of the court, ordinarily in jail.

Police Custody Custody in which the accused is placed under police control pursuant to lawful judicial authorisation.

Production Bringing an accused before the court, physically or through legally permitted video conferencing.

Prosecution Evidence (PE) Evidence led by the prosecution to establish its case.

Re-Examination Further examination by the party who called the witness, following cross-examination, within the permitted scope.

Remand Judicial or police-authorized custody under the applicable law and subject to statutory safeguards.

Sentence The punishment imposed following conviction.

Statement Under Section 313 CrPC / Section 351 BNSS The accused's examination by the court to explain incriminating circumstances appearing in the evidence, where applicable.

Summoning Order An order directing a person to appear before the court.

Surety A person who undertakes the prescribed legal responsibility to secure the accused's compliance with bail conditions.

6. Common terms used in arguments and judicial orders

“Ad interim” Temporary relief granted pending further consideration.

“At the outset” At the beginning of the submission.

“Binding precedent” A legal ruling that a lower court is required to follow under the doctrine of precedent.

“Concession by counsel” A statement or position accepted by counsel on a client's behalf; its legal effect depends on the nature and authority of the concession.

“De novo” Afresh or anew, as directed or required by law.

“Dismissed as withdrawn” The party has withdrawn the matter and the court has dismissed it on that basis.

“Dismissed for non-prosecution” The matter is dismissed because the party responsible for pursuing it failed to do so, subject to applicable procedure.

“Disposed of” The court has concluded the proceeding or application; it does not necessarily mean that the claim was allowed or dismissed on merits.

“Distinguishable” A precedent is materially different on its facts or legal issues.

“Ex facie” Apparent on the face of the document or material itself.

“In limine” At the threshold or preliminary stage.

“Inter alia” Among other things.

“It is respectfully submitted” A conventional way of presenting a submission to the court.

“Liberty is granted” The court permits a party to take a specified future step, within the scope of the order.

“Mutatis mutandis” With necessary changes or adaptations.

“No instructions” Counsel indicates that they have not received instructions on the relevant point.

“Obiter dicta” Observations not essential to the decision, though they may have persuasive value.

“Per contra” On the contrary; used to introduce the opposing position.

“Per incuriam” A decision rendered in ignorance of a relevant binding statutory provision or precedent, in the recognized legal sense.

“Prima facie” On the face of the available material, before final determination.

“Ratio decidendi” The legal principle necessary to the decision of a case.

“Status report be filed” The concerned authority is directed to submit an update on the action taken or current position.

“Sub judice” Under judicial consideration.

“Without prejudice to…” Without giving up another legal contention or right, subject to the context and applicable law.

7. Terms that can be misleading if read literally

Police wording and what it does not necessarily mean

“No offence is made out.” This is a conclusion to be tested against the allegations and applicable law; it is not a substitute for examining the underlying facts.

“The accused has been named in the FIR.” It does not establish guilt.

“The accused is involved.” It is an allegation or investigative conclusion, not a judicial finding of guilt.

“The accused joined the investigation.” It does not amount to exoneration.

“The accused was not arrested.” It does not mean that no case exists or that arrest is legally impossible.

“The complainant did not produce evidence.” It does not automatically establish that no other evidence exists or that the case is false.

“The complaint is false.” The evidentiary basis and legal status of that conclusion must be checked.

“The investigation is complete.” It does not necessarily mean that the court has accepted the police report or that the trial has ended.

“The matter is civil in nature.” It does not conclusively rule out a criminal offence.

“The parties have compromised.” It does not mean every criminal offence can automatically be closed.

8. Common abbreviations used in Indian courts

ADJ Additional District Judge

APP Assistant Public Prosecutor

ASJ Additional Sessions Judge

BAIL APPLN. Bail Application

BNS Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

BNSS Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

BSA Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023

CMM Chief Metropolitan Magistrate

CNR Case Number Record

CRL. A. Criminal Appeal

CRL. M.C. Criminal Miscellaneous Case

CRL. REV. P. Criminal Revision Petition

DD Daily Diary, in the police-station context

DJ District Judge

DLSA District Legal Services Authority

DSLSA Delhi State Legal Services Authority

DV Act Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

FIR First Information Report

FSL Forensic Science Laboratory

IA Interlocutory Application

IO Investigating Officer

JMFC Judicial Magistrate First Class

MLC Medico-Legal Case

MM Metropolitan Magistrate

NDOH Next Date of Hearing

NDPS Act Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985

NI Act Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

PE / DE Prosecution Evidence / Defence Evidence

PMLA Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002

PO Proclaimed Offender, in the relevant criminal-court context

POCSO Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012

PP Public Prosecutor

SLP Special Leave Petition

SPP Special Public Prosecutor

VC Video Conferencing

WP(C) Writ Petition (Civil)

Abbreviations can vary between courts, case types and registry conventions. Always verify the cause title and the applicable court rules.

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