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Is cyber stalking a punishable offence in India?

Is cyber stalking a punishable offence in India?

23-Jun-2026

Cyber Crime

Answer By law4u team

Yes, cyber stalking is a punishable offence in India. It is covered under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Meaning of cyber stalking: Repeatedly following, monitoring, or harassing a person online using: Social media Emails Messaging apps Fake profiles Digital tracking or spying tools Common examples: Repeated unwanted messages or calls Creating fake accounts to harass someone Monitoring someone’s online activity without consent Sending threatening or obscene content Cyberbullying or online harassment Punishment: Imprisonment which may extend up to several years depending on severity Fine Or both imprisonment and fine Aggravated cases (more serious): Targeting women or minors Threats of violence Persistent harassment despite warnings Identity misuse or blackmail Legal action victims can take: File cyber complaint with police or cyber crime cell Lodge FIR under cyber laws and criminal law provisions Report on social media platforms for account blocking Preserve evidence such as screenshots, chats, URLs, and emails Police powers: Track IP address and device Seize electronic devices Trace fake accounts and digital footprints Conclusion: Yes, cyber stalking is a serious criminal offence in India and is punishable with imprisonment and fine under cyber and criminal laws.

Answer By Mohd Sameer Khan

[23/06, 7:45 pm] MOHD SAMEER KHAN: Yes, cyber stalking is a punishable offence in India. It is covered under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Meaning of cyber stalking: Repeatedly following, monitoring, or harassing a person online using: Social media Emails Messaging apps Fake profiles Digital tracking or spying tools Common examples: [23/06, 7:45 pm] MOHD SAMEER KHAN: Repeated unwanted messages or calls Creating fake accounts to harass someone Monitoring someone's online activity without consent Sending threatening or obscene content Cyberbullying or online harassment Punishment: Imprisonment which may extend up to several years depending on severity Fine Or both imprisonment and fine Aggravated cases (more serious): Targeting women or minors Threats of violence Persistent harassment despite warnings Identity misuse or blackmail [23/06, 7:46 pm] MOHD SAMEER KHAN: Legal action victims can take: File cyber complaint with police or cyber crime cell Lodge FIR under cyber laws and criminal law provisions Report on social media platforms for account blocking Preserve evidence such as screenshots, chats, URLs, and emails Police powers: Track IP address and device Seize electronic devices Trace fake accounts and digital footprints Conclusion: Yes, cyber stalking is a serious criminal [23/06, 7:46 pm] MOHD SAMEER KHAN: offence in India and is punishable with imprisonment and fine under cyber and criminallaws.

Answer By Anik

Dear Client, Cyber stalking is definitely a serious and punishable offense in India under Section 77 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sahita 2023, which replaced the earlier provision under the Information Technology Act of 2000. This law specifically penalizes any man who follows contacts or monitors the use of the Internet email or any other form of electronic communication by a woman despite a clear indication of disinterest. The law is designed to cover the modern reality of digital harassment making it clear that stalking is not only limited to physically following someone but also extends to the digital realm. The legal consequences for cyberstalking are significant for a first conviction an offender can face imprisonment upto 3 years and may be liable to fine as well, if the individual is a repeat of ender the punishment increases to a term of 5 years along with a mandatory fine. Further more depending on the severity of the act such as if the stocking involves identity theft, hacking or the creation of fake profiles to impersonate the victim additional provisions of the IT Act maybe invoked. To take action one must document all instances or stalking such as taking screenshot of the messages recording persistent calls and saving any digital data left by the preparator. Once the person has this evidence a complaint can be filed at the nearest police station or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. I hope this answer helps, if you have any further query kindly do not hesitate to contact us. Thankyou