Type of cyber crime
Cyberstalking & online harassment
Repeated unwanted contact, monitoring, threats, abusive messages or posting of personal details, often targeting women.
Online harassment ranges from persistent messages after being blocked, to tracking through shared accounts or stalkerware on a phone, to doxxing and rape threats. Indian law treats stalking as a specific offence and criminal intimidation and obscene messaging as others; the NCW and state police have dedicated channels for women.
How it usually looks
- Dozens of new accounts messaging you after each block.
- An ex-partner who knows your location and messages, through an app installed on your phone.
- Your number and photos posted with abusive captions on a forum.
Law that applies
| Provision | What it covers | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| BNS 2023 s.78 (stalking) | Monitoring or repeatedly contacting a woman via internet or email despite disinterest | Up to 3 years (first), up to 5 years (second) |
| BNS 2023 s.351 | Criminal intimidation | Up to 2 years; up to 7 for grave threats |
| BNS 2023 s.79 | Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman | Up to 3 years and fine |
| IT Act 2000 s.67 | Obscene material in electronic form | Up to 3 years and fine |
Sections are quoted for orientation; the police decide the final charge sheet. Verify text at indiacode.nic.in.
Where to report
- Preserve everything: screenshots with URLs, dates and usernames; do not delete conversations.
- Report on the platform; then file on cybercrime.gov.in under the women/children category.
- Women can also approach the National Commission for Women or call 181.
- For physical danger, call 112.
How to prevent it
- Audit phone for unknown apps and shared locations; change passwords on a device the other person never touched.
- Lock down profiles; remove phone number from public search on WhatsApp and Truecaller.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file a complaint without going to a police station?
Yes. cybercrime.gov.in accepts complaints online, and the women/children section allows anonymous reporting. A police station visit may be needed later for an FIR, and you can ask for a woman officer.