If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

A young professional, Ms. Anika, found herself in a distressing situation involving persistent online harassment and blackmail. The ordeal began when she was a minor, around 16 years old. She connected with a young man, Mr. Sameer, on a social media platform. Initially, he presented himself as lonely and in need of a friend, which led Anika to engage in conversation. However, his behaviour soon turned manipulative and emotionally draining.

Sensing the red flags, Anika blocked him. A few months later, she was contacted by a new profile. Unaware that it was Sameer using a fake identity, she began talking to this new person. Exploiting her trust, Sameer coerced her into sending a private picture. He also tricked her into sharing a photo of her face using a “view once” feature on a popular app, which he secretly screen-recorded. Upon realizing she had been catfished, Anika confronted him. Instead of apologizing, Sameer began using these images to blackmail her.

Terrified, Anika, then 17, blocked him again. For years, she endured his attempts to contact her through various fake accounts. Just when she thought it was over, Sameer, now aware of her professional life, found her on a networking website and sent a connection request. Anika now possesses his real name, his place of employment, and his city of residence, but she is exhausted from the constant fear and is unsure of the best course of action to end this torment for good.

Advice in such cases

• Immediately cease all communication with the harasser. Do not respond to any messages, calls, or requests. Engaging with them can often escalate the situation.
• Preserve every piece of evidence. Take screenshots of all threatening messages, profiles (both real and fake), comments, and any other form of communication. Note down the URLs of the profiles.
• Secure your online presence. Review and strengthen the privacy settings on all your social media accounts. Block the person on all platforms and consider making your profiles private for a period.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

Applicable Sections of Law

In India, such acts are covered under several laws, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

• Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Stalking): This section criminalizes monitoring a woman’s use of the internet or any other form of electronic communication, or repeatedly attempting to contact her to foster personal interaction despite clear indications of disinterest.
• Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Extortion): This is directly applicable to blackmail. It penalizes anyone who intentionally puts a person in fear of any injury (including reputational harm) to dishonestly induce them to deliver any property or valuable security. The threat to release private images falls squarely under this section.
• Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman): This applies if the perpetrator uses words or acts that intrude upon the privacy of a woman.
• Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Violation of privacy): This law makes it an offence to intentionally capture, publish, or transmit the image of a private area of any person without their consent, under circumstances violating their privacy.
• Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: These sections deal with the punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material in electronic form.

If you are the complainant

• Systematically organize all the evidence you have collected. This includes screenshots, links, and any other relevant information, arranged chronologically.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.
• File a formal complaint. You can do this online through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or by visiting the nearest police station with a dedicated Cyber Crime unit.
• Prepare a detailed written complaint explaining the entire sequence of events, from the initial contact to the most recent threat. Attach printouts of the evidence.

If you are the victim

• Your safety and mental well-being are the top priorities. Do not agree to meet the blackmailer or comply with any of their demands. Giving in will only empower them.
• While it can be difficult, confiding in a trusted family member or friend can provide emotional support. However, legal action should be your primary tool for resolution.
• Understand that you are the victim of a crime. The perpetrator is the one who has broken the law, not you. Do not let feelings of guilt or shame prevent you from seeking justice.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

How the police behave in such cases

Police departments, particularly Cyber Crime cells, are increasingly sensitized and equipped to handle cases of online harassment and blackmail. Once you file a complaint, they will likely register a First Information Report (FIR) under the relevant sections of the law. They have the technical means to trace the perpetrator’s digital footprint, even if they are using fake profiles, by tracking IP addresses and coordinating with social media companies. The law mandates that the identity of victims in such sensitive cases be kept confidential. Having a lawyer represent you can help ensure the police take swift and appropriate action and can streamline communication with the authorities.

FAQs people normally have

What evidence is required?

The strength of your case depends on the quality of evidence. You should provide:

• Screenshots of all conversations, especially those containing threats.
• The URL or username of the harasser’s profile(s).
• Any images or videos the harasser has sent you or is threatening to use.
• Email communications, including full headers if possible.
• Call logs or recordings if the harassment extended to phone calls.
• Any information you have about the perpetrator’s real identity, such as their name, workplace, or location.

How long will the investigation take?

The duration of a cybercrime investigation can vary significantly. It depends on factors such as the complexity of the case, the digital trail left by the accused, and the speed of response from intermediaries like social media platforms. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. An experienced lawyer can help by regularly following up with the investigating agency and ensuring that the case moves forward without unnecessary delays.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India