In the two independent mol-ecules of the title compound, C(10)H(7)N(3)O(3), the nitro substitutent is twisted slightly with respect to the benzodiazol fused-ring system [dihedral angles = 4.9 (3) and 8.5 (1)°]. The two independent mol-ecules are disposed about a pseudo inversion center and are held together by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The supramolecular dimer is essentially planar [dihedral angle between the fused rings = 2.0 (1)°]. Adjacent dimers are linked by acetyl-ene-nitro C-H⋯O inter-actions, generating a ribbon motif along (110).