If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.
A young student, Anjali, attending the prestigious Prestige Arts College in Pune, found herself in a deeply distressing situation. During her first semester, she noticed a fellow student, Maya, showing an unusual amount of interest in her. Anjali’s friends pointed out that Maya was constantly staring, a fact Anjali initially dismissed. Being polite, Anjali would exchange greetings with Maya.
Soon after, Maya made a social media post implying a mutual interest, which Anjali had to clarify was not the case. Despite this, they struck up a friendship. Anjali, acting in good faith, shared personal details about her art, her life, and past experiences with bullying, trusting Maya’s assurance of confidentiality. She also mentioned her fondness for two other friends, Priya and Ritu, who, to her surprise, began sitting with her the very next day, seemingly at Maya’s instruction.
Upon returning to college after a break, Anjali was met with strange, overly sympathetic behavior from her peers. She started hearing her private jokes and specific phrases she had only shared with Maya being repeated by a wide group of students. It became apparent that Maya was likely sharing screenshots of their private conversations across the college, orchestrating a campaign of social manipulation.
The situation escalated as Maya began to systematically befriend anyone Anjali spoke to, after which those individuals would also start acting strangely towards Anjali. One of Maya’s friends, Riya, sent Anjali a message claiming to be suicidal. When Anjali offered comfort, Riya abruptly switched the topic and began invasively questioning Anjali about her sex life. When Anjali refused to discuss it, Riya became passive-aggressive, using phrases that Anjali had only ever said to Maya.
Anjali felt increasingly creeped out and isolated by Maya’s stalker-like behavior. Maya seemed to be invading all her personal spaces, inserting herself into her friend groups, and digging up information about her, such as discovering that a Media Studies senior was from Anjali’s old school—a fact even Anjali was unaware of. The constant social pressure and manipulation from students she didn’t even know, all urging her to reconcile with Maya, took a severe toll.
Out of frustration and a desperate attempt to make Maya understand the feeling of being harassed, Anjali spammed Maya’s phone number with sign-ups for various services. Racked with guilt, she confessed and apologized, even giving Maya a book as a peace offering. This, however, only seemed to embolden Maya, who began flaunting different books daily in a petty attempt to provoke a reaction.
The ordeal led Anjali to seek help from multiple therapists, fearing she had developed serious mental health issues. However, all professionals concluded that she was psychologically sound but was in an extremely toxic and stressful environment, confirming that Maya was the source of her distress. The constant gaslighting, rumour-mongering, and social isolation orchestrated by Maya, who even involved the Dean of Student Affairs by feeding her misleading information, left Anjali emotionally and mentally exhausted. Her academic performance plummeted, and she ultimately decided to leave the college to focus on her recovery after filing a formal complaint with the national anti-ragging authorities.
Advice in such cases
Document Everything: Keep a detailed log of every incident, including dates, times, locations, what was said or done, and who was present. Save screenshots of messages, emails, and social media posts. This documentation is crucial evidence.
Secure Your Digital Presence: Block the harasser on all social media platforms, phone numbers, and email. Review and strengthen the privacy settings on all your accounts to prevent them from monitoring your activities.
Inform College Authorities: Formally report the behavior to the college’s anti-ragging cell, disciplinary committee, or the Dean/Principal. Provide them with a written complaint supported by your documented evidence.
Confide in Trusted Adults: Do not go through this alone. Speak to your parents, family members, or a trusted faculty member who can provide emotional and practical support.
Seek Professional Help: The mental and emotional toll of such harassment is immense. Speaking with a counselor or therapist can help you process the trauma and develop coping strategies.
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
Under Indian law, such acts of harassment, stalking, and emotional abuse are covered by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and other relevant statutes.
Section 77 of the BNS, 2023 (Stalking): This section is directly applicable. Stalking includes following a person, attempting to contact them repeatedly despite clear disinterest, or monitoring their online activity to cause distress or fear. The acts described, such as Maya monitoring Anjali’s social interactions and digital presence, fall squarely under this definition.
Section 356 of the BNS, 2023 (Defamation): Spreading false information, twisting personal details, and sharing private conversations with the intent to harm a person’s reputation constitutes defamation. Maya’s actions of painting Anjali as “mentally ill” or “problematic” to isolate her are punishable under this section.
Section 351 of the BNS, 2023 (Criminal Intimidation): If the harasser’s actions or the actions of their associates cause the victim to feel threatened or fear for their safety or reputation, it can amount to criminal intimidation.
The Information Technology Act, 2000: For harassment conducted through digital means, such as sharing screenshots of private chats, cyber-stalking, and creating a hostile online environment, provisions of the IT Act can also be invoked.
If you are the complainant
File a Formal Complaint: Draft a clear, chronological complaint detailing all incidents. Attach copies of all evidence you have collected.
Report to the Police: You can file a First Information Report (FIR) at your local police station. It is advisable to go with a lawyer who can ensure the complaint is registered correctly under the appropriate sections of the law.
Follow Up with College Authorities: Ensure that the internal anti-ragging or disciplinary committee takes your complaint seriously and initiates an inquiry as per UGC regulations.
Consider a Restraining Order: You can file an application in court seeking a restraining order to legally prohibit the accused from contacting you, coming near you, or mentioning you on any platform.
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.
If you are the victim
Prioritize Your Safety: Your physical and mental well-being is the top priority. If you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the environment. Inform your family immediately about the situation.
Preserve Evidence: Do not delete threatening messages or posts out of fear or anger. These are vital pieces of evidence. Take screenshots and back them up securely.
Limit Communication: Cease all contact with the abuser. Do not engage in arguments or attempts to reason with them, as this can often escalate the situation.
Build a Support System: Lean on trusted friends and family. Feeling isolated is a common tactic of abusers, so it is important to stay connected with people who support you.
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 response to cases of stalking and psychological harassment can vary. Initially, some officers might dismiss it as a “minor college issue.” However, with the enactment of stronger laws like the BNS, there is growing awareness. It is important to be persistent and clear. Presenting a well-documented complaint, preferably drafted with a lawyer’s help, can ensure the police take the matter seriously. Having a lawyer accompany you to the police station can also streamline the process and ensure that an FIR is registered under the correct legal provisions.
FAQs people normally have
What evidence is required?
Strong evidence is key to building a successful case. This includes:
Digital Evidence: Screenshots of chats, social media posts, call logs, and emails. Audio or video recordings can also be powerful evidence, provided they are obtained legally.
Witnesses: Statements from friends, classmates, or faculty who have witnessed the harassment or the impact it has had on you.
Written Records: A personal diary or log of incidents. Copies of any formal complaints made to the college administration and their response.
Medical Records: If you have sought therapy or medical help for anxiety, depression, or other stress-related symptoms, these records can be used to demonstrate the mental anguish caused.
How long will the investigation take?
The duration of an investigation depends on several factors, including the complexity of the case, the amount of evidence available, and the cooperation of witnesses and authorities. A college’s internal inquiry might conclude within a few weeks or months. A police investigation and subsequent court proceedings under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, can take longer, often spanning several months to a few years. Having a proactive lawyer can help expedite the process by ensuring timely follow-ups and proper legal procedure.
Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India