Karnataka High Court Declares Stalking on Social Media a Criminal Offense
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- 29 Mar 2025 --
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In a landmark judgment that promises to redefine the legal landscape surrounding digital harassment in India, the Karnataka High Court has ruled that persistent online stalking and cyber harassment are punishable under criminal laws, treating them on par with physical stalking. This progressive verdict marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of India’s cyber laws, especially in the context of growing online abuse and the increasing role of social media in everyday life.
The Case That Sparked the Ruling
The case began when a Bengaluru-based woman approached the police after being harassed for several months by a man she had briefly interacted with online. According to her complaint, the man created multiple fake social media profiles to follow her, send her unsolicited messages, and comment on her personal photos—even after she blocked him several times. Despite clear evidence of repeated, unwanted digital communication, the local police dismissed her case, terming it a non-cognizable offense due to the absence of a direct physical threat.
Frustrated with the lack of police action and growing concerns for her mental and emotional well-being, the woman escalated the matter to the Karnataka High Court, arguing that digital harassment is no less traumatic than real-life stalking. She contended that the current interpretation of Indian laws fails to adequately protect victims of cyberstalking, leaving a gap in legal redress for such abuses.
What the Karnataka High Court Said
The High Court, in a detailed and emphatic ruling, acknowledged the psychological impact of online harassment and the power imbalance that digital anonymity can create. Justice Raghavendra P. Kulkarni, delivering the verdict, observed that:
• Online stalking and persistent digital harassment are forms of criminal intimidation and privacy violation, and fall squarely within the ambit of Section 354D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with stalking.
• Consent is the cornerstone: Any repeated contact—whether physical or virtual—without the subject’s consent is a violation of their right to privacy and dignity.
• The court directed law enforcement agencies to treat cyberstalking as a cognizable offense, empowering police to register FIRs and take immediate action.
• Importantly, the ruling also called on social media companies to implement better protocols for handling complaints related to stalking and fake profiles. Platforms were told to act faster in disabling malicious accounts, with specific timelines and transparency in complaint resolution.
The Broader Implications
This judgment is being hailed as a watershed moment for digital safety in India. It reflects a growing judicial awareness of the threats faced by internet users—particularly women—on social platforms. The verdict strengthens the position that abuse and harassment in the digital realm are not trivial or ‘virtual-only’ concerns, but can have real-world consequences including trauma, anxiety, depression, and reputational harm.
Legal experts believe this case could pave the way for a more expansive interpretation of existing cyber laws, encouraging both police and judiciary to take online offenses more seriously. Many are also calling for a comprehensive overhaul of India’s Information Technology (IT) Act to include more explicit provisions for online harassment, cyberbullying, doxxing, and revenge porn.
Voices of Support
Women’s rights groups and digital safety advocates have welcomed the ruling. “It sends a strong message that the law is evolving to protect people in digital spaces,” said Meena Kapoor, a legal analyst specializing in cybercrime. Victims who previously felt powerless against anonymous online stalkers now have a clearer legal route for justice.
Cybersecurity experts also noted that this judgment could pressure tech companies to reevaluate their content moderation and user safety policies, ensuring that harassment complaints are not just acknowledged but acted upon swiftly.
Conclusion
As India’s digital footprint continues to expand, especially among younger users, this ruling by the Karnataka High Court signals a timely and crucial shift in the legal understanding of personal safety in the digital age. It reinforces the principle that online spaces must uphold the same standards of respect, dignity, and legal protection as offline environments.
By recognizing cyberstalking as a serious criminal offense, the judiciary has taken a firm step toward closing the gap between law and technology, offering victims a stronger foundation to seek justice in an increasingly digital world.
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