How to Deal with Threatening Calls and Messages in India – Legal Remedies 2025

Receiving threatening calls? WhatsApp messages demanding money? Someone blackmailing you?

Threats and intimidation are crimes in India – you don't have to suffer silently. Let's understand your legal rights and how to take action.

What is Criminal Intimidation?

Under Section 351 BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) – earlier Section 503-506 IPC:

Criminal intimidation = Threatening someone with:

• Injury to person, reputation, or property

• Death

• To cause alarm

• To compel doing/not doing something

Punishment: Up to 2 years jail + fine (7 years if threat is death or grievous hurt)

Common Types of Threatening Communications:

1. Extortion Threats:

• "Pay ₹10 lakh or we'll harm you"

• "Give money or we'll kidnap your child"

• Ransom demands

2. Loan Recovery Threats:

• "Pay loan immediately or we'll kill you"

• Illegal recovery agents threatening violence

• Threatening family members

3. Business/Property Disputes:

• "Sell property or face consequences"

• "Leave business or we'll harm you"

• Competitor threats

4. Personal Enmity:

• "I'll kill you"

• "I'll destroy your reputation"

• Revenge threats

5. Cyber Blackmail:

• "I have your private photos/videos"

• "Pay or I'll upload online"

• Sextortion

6. Domestic Threats:

• Husband/in-laws threatening wife

• "Do as we say or leave house"

• Dowry-related threats

7. Sexual Harassment:

• "Meet me or I'll defame you"

• Stalking with threats

• Obscene calls/messages

8. Political/Social:

• Threats for views/opinions

• Religious intimidation

• Caste-based threats

Legal Provisions:

Main laws:

1. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023:

• Section 351: Criminal intimidation (2 years)

• Section 352: Intimidation with death/grievous hurt (7 years)

• Section 308(3): Extortion (3-10 years)

• Section 309: Extortion with death threat (Life imprisonment)

2. IT Act, 2000:

• Section 66E: Privacy violation (3 years)

• Section 67: Obscene electronic content (3-5 years)

• Section 67A: Sexually explicit content (5-7 years)

3. Women-Specific:

• Section 75 BNS: Stalking (3-5 years)

• Section 78 BNS: Sexual harassment (1-3 years)

When to Take Action:

Act immediately if:

❗ Threat to life – "I'll kill you"❗ Threat to family – Mentions children, parents❗ Extortion demand – Money demanded❗ Sexual blackmail – Intimate photos/videos threatened❗ Repeated harassment – Multiple calls/messages❗ Escalating threats – Getting more serious❗ Accompanied by surveillance

– They know your movements❗ History of violence – Threatener has violent past

Don't ignore or think it will stop on its own!

Step-by-Step: What to Do

Step 1: Don't Panic

• Stay calm

• Don't respond emotionally

• Don't engage with threatener

• Don't pay any money (if extortion)

Step 2: Preserve Evidence (CRUCIAL)

For Calls:

✓ Don't delete call logs✓ Note down caller's number(s)✓ Note time and date of each call✓ Record calls if possible (legal in India if you're party to conversation)✓ Take screenshots of call history✓ Get call detail records (CDR) from your telecom provider

For SMS/WhatsApp/Messages:

✓ Take screenshots (with date/time visible)✓ Don't delete messages✓ Export chat (WhatsApp allows email export)✓ Save sender's number and profile details✓ Screenshot sender's display picture✓ Note timestamps

For Emails:

✓ Forward to yourself (creates backup)✓ Print email with full headers✓ Screenshot sender details✓ Save attachments if any

For Social Media:

✓ Screenshot messages, posts, comments✓ Save profile URL✓ Screenshot profile details✓ Report to platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Additional Evidence:

✓ Witness statements (if someone heard/saw)✓ CCTV footage (if threatened in person)✓ Medical records (if threats caused health issues)✓ Your diary notes (document each incident)

Step 3: Block the Number/Account

After saving evidence:

• Block caller/sender

• Report to platform (WhatsApp/social media)

• Prevents further harassment

• But keep evidence before blocking!

Step 4: Inform Trusted People

Tell:

• Family members

• Close friends

• Colleagues (if workplace-related)

• Society security (if threat to home)

Why?

• They can be witnesses

• Provide support

• Take precautions for safety

Step 5: File Police Complaint

Where to file:

• Nearest police station (where you reside or threat made)

• Cyber cell (for online threats)

• Women's cell (for threats to women)

What to file:

• FIR if serious threat (death, extortion, blackmail)

• NCR if minor harassment (but can escalate to FIR)

How to file:

A) Visit Police Station:

• Go with all evidence

• Write/verbal complaint

• Insist on FIR registration

• Sections to mention:

  • Section 351/352 BNS (intimidation)

  • Section 308/309 BNS (if extortion)

  • IT Act sections (if online)

  • Section 75 BNS (if stalking)

B) Online Complaint:

• Visit cybercrime.gov.in (for online threats)

• File detailed complaint

• Upload evidence

• Get complaint number

C) Call 100/112:

• For emergency situations

• Immediate police response

Step 6: Provide Details to Police

Information to give:

✓ Your personal details✓ Threatener's number/ID/details (if known)✓ Nature of threat✓ When threats started✓ Frequency✓ Content of threats✓ Your relationship with threatener (known/unknown)✓ Any previous incidents✓ Reason for threats (if known)✓ Evidence collected

Give everything – Police need complete picture!

Step 7: Follow-Up

After filing complaint:

✓ Note FIR number✓ Get FIR copy (free, your right)✓ Note investigating officer's name and number✓ Follow up every 3-5 days✓ Provide additional evidence if found✓ Cooperate with investigation✓ Inform if threats continue

What Police Will Do:

Investigation:

• Trace caller/sender

• CDR (Call Detail Records) analysis

• IP tracing (for online threats)

• Tech analysis

• Verify your evidence

• Record your statement

• May call threatener for questioning

• Arrest if serious offense

Possible outcomes:

• Chargesheet filed → Case goes to court

• Warning given → If minor, first offense

• Mediation → If civil dispute turned threat

• Closure → If threat not serious enough (rare)

Additional Legal Actions:

1. Anticipatory Bail (If You Fear False Counter-Case):

Sometimes threatener files false case against victim:

• Apply for anticipatory bail

• Protects from arrest

• In Sessions Court/High Court

2. Restraining Order:

Apply in court for:

• Order prohibiting contact

• Maintain distance

• No calls/messages

3. Civil Defamation (If Threat to Reputation):

• File defamation suit

• Claim damages

• In civil court

4. Complaint to Telecom Provider:

• Complaint to Airtel/Vodafone/Jio etc.

• They can block number

• Provide CDR to police

Special Cases:

A) Loan Recovery Harassment:

If recovery agents threaten:

Step 1: File police complaint

Step 2: Complain to RBI Ombudsman

• Banks/NBFCs must follow fair practices code

• Can't threaten, abuse, harass

• RBI can penalize bank

Step 3: Complain to bank/NBFC

• Escalate to grievance officer

• Demand action against agents

Step 4: Legal notice to bank

• Sue for harassment

You owe money ≠ They can threaten you!

B) Cyber Blackmail/Sextortion:

If someone has intimate photos/videos:

CRITICAL: DON'T PAY!

• Payment won't stop them

• They'll demand more

• No guarantee they'll delete

Instead:

Step 1: File complaint immediately (cybercrime.gov.in + police)

Step 2: Report to platform (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.)

Step 3: If content uploaded, report to:

• Google (for search removal)

• Platform (takedown request)

• Cyber cell for removal

Step 4: IT Act Section 67/67A (serious offense, jail up to 7 years)

Don't suffer in shame – It's a crime, report it!

C) Domestic Threats (Husband/In-Laws):

If threatened at home:

Step 1: File complaint under:

• Section 351 BNS (intimidation)

• Section 498A BNS (cruelty by husband/in-laws)

• Domestic Violence Act

Step 2: Contact Women's Helpline: 181 (24x7)

Step 3: Approach women's cell at police station

Step 4: Consider protection order under DV Act

Step 5: Move to safe place (parents' home, shelter)

D) Stalking:

If someone following you + threatening:

File under Section 75 BNS (Stalking):

• Punishment: 3 years (first offense), 5 years (repeat)

• Police can take immediate action

Additional steps:

• Inform society/office security

• Vary your routine

• Don't travel alone

• Keep phone accessible

Preventive Measures:

To reduce risk:

✓ Don't share personal number publicly✓ Use Truecaller (identifies spam/unknown callers)✓ Privacy settings on social media✓ Don't accept unknown friend requests✓ Be cautious about sharing location✓ Don't respond to threatening messages✓ Install security apps (call recording, etc.)✓ Alert contacts if receiving threats✓ Vary routine if being followed

What NOT to Do:

❌ Don't ignore serious threats❌ Don't pay extortion money❌ Don't engage with threatener❌ Don't delete evidence❌ Don't face alone – Inform family/police❌ Don't make counter-threats – Illegal!❌ Don't try vigilante action – Let police handle❌ Don't fall for "let's talk and resolve" trap

Real Cases:

Case 1: Woman received WhatsApp messages with her private photos, demand for ₹5 lakh. She immediately filed cyber complaint + FIR. Cyber cell traced sender within 72 hours using IP address. Arrested under IT Act Section 67. Photos never leaked.

Case 2: Businessman received death threats over property dispute. Ignored initially. Threats escalated. Finally filed FIR. Police traced calls to rival's associate. Both arrested under Section 352 BNS (death threat – 7 years). Case ongoing.

Case 3: Girl stalked and threatened by classmate. Filed complaint under stalking + intimidation. Police warned offender. Threats stopped. No arrest (minor offense, first time, warning sufficed).

Support Resources:

Helplines:

• Women's Helpline: 181

• Cyber Crime: 1930

• Police: 100 / 112 (emergency)

• Child Helpline: 1098

• Senior Citizen Helpline: 14567

Online:

• Cyber complaint: cybercrime.gov.in

• Women complaint: complaints.dcw.delhi.gov.in (Delhi Women's Commission)

Conclusion:

Threats are NOT to be taken lightly. Whether online or offline, they're serious crimes with real punishments.

Your action plan:

1. Stay calm

2. Collect evidence

3. File police complaint immediately

4. Follow up

5. Take safety precautions

Remember:

• You have legal rights

• Police are there to help

• Don't suffer silently

• Don't let fear control you

Being threatened? Act today. File complaint, protect yourself, and let the law handle the threatener!

Share this with family and friends. Everyone should know their rights against intimidation!