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Cyber-stalking is a crime that can be committed against persons of all genders.

What is Cyber Stalking?

Last updated on May 11, 2022

[Trigger Warning: This explainer contains information on physical violence, sexual violence, abuse and slurs which some readers may find disturbing.]

If a person persistently monitors or follows a person’s activity on the internet through email, social networks and instant messaging applications such as WhatsApp etc. it is a crime of cyberstalking.

Some of the common forms of cyber stalking are(( Kalandi Charan Lenka v. State of Orissa BLAPL No.7596 of 2016.)):

  • Persistent contact by someone on different modes of social media, for example, WhatsApp and Facebook.
  • Using social media to get all personal information and pictures of someone to use it against them.
  • Sending emails containing obscene images and videos, displaying nude or morphed pictures along with threats and abuses.
  • Posting obscene/nude pictures of someone on the internet or on a pornographic website.
  • Monitoring a person’s activity by accessing a computer’s webcam or a computer device.

The punishment for online stalking is jail time up to three years along with a fine. For repeat offenders, the punishment is higher, i.e. up to five years jail time along with a fine.(( Section 354D, Indian Penal Code, 1860.))

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Comments

Aishwarya Senthil Kumar

November 29, 2024

A person has been stalking and trying to speak to me for almost a year. I tried to insist that person to speak directly, but that person never listened. I am scared to approach the police. Please help me.

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