Section 354D (IPC) – Cyber stalking

Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Section 354D – Cyber stalking

🔹 Short Note (Hindi)

Section 354D un logon par lagu hota hai jo online kisi ladki ya woman ko baar-baar message, call, follow, spy ya monitor karke pareshan karte hain. Yani bina consent ke digital tareeke se stalk karna is section ke under crime hai.

🔹 Detailed Explanation (English + Hindi)

Section 354D IPC defines cyber stalking as any act where a man repeatedly:

• Contacts, messages, ya follows a woman against her wish
• Tracks or monitors her online activity
• Uses social media, email, chats, fake accounts, ya any digital platform to harass her
• Creates fake profiles to defame or threaten
• Shares personal pictures ya information bina permission

Isme intention of harassment, threat, ya forceful contact hona important hota hai.

First offence is bailable, but repeat offence becomes non-bailable.

🔹 Main Conditions

Cyber stalking tab mana jayega jab:

1. Victim mostly woman ho
2. Offender repeatedly contact kare ya monitor kare
3. Action against her consent ho
4. Purpose ho harassment, intimidation, ya unwanted attention
5. Medium ho online / electronic device / social media / messages

🔹 Legal Meaning (Simple Terms)

Agar koi insaan kisi woman ko online baar-baar contact kare, follow kare, trace kare ya uski privacy violate kare, even after she refuses — to ye cyber stalking hai and punishable under Section 354D.

🔹 Example

Rohan daily kisi ladki ko Instagram, WhatsApp, aur email par unwanted messages bhejta hai, jabki ladki ne clearly block aur ignore kiya hua hai.
Wo uska DP download karke fake account bhi banata hai.
Ye sab actions cyber stalking ke under aate hain and Section 354D apply hota hai.

🔹 Key Legal Points

• First offence → Up to 3 years imprisonment + fine
• Repeat offence → Up to 5 years imprisonment + fine
• Mostly applied when victim is a woman
• Social media stalking, fake IDs, call monitoring, DM harassment sab include hai
• Consent ka absence hi main factor hai
• Police complaint directly file ki ja sakti hai

🔹 Nyay Neeti Advice

• Agar koi aapko online pareshan kar raha hai, to:
  • Screenshots, chat records, call logs save karein
  • Social media platforms par report/block karein
  • Police or cyber cell me written complaint karein
• Cyber stalking revenge nahi, self-defense aur dignity ke liye legal right hai
• Delay na karein — protection order bhi liya ja sakta hai

🔹 Summary Table