Act fast

A man keeps following and harassing me. What can I do?

Simple answer

This is a crime, and you can file an FIR. A man who keeps following or contacting a woman after she has clearly shown she is not interested, or watches her online activity, commits stalking. Unwanted touching, sexual remarks or demands for sexual favours are sexual harassment.

Real-life examples

A man follows Kavya from her college bus stop every day and keeps messaging her from new numbers after she blocked him. This is stalking (BNS 78): up to 3 years for a first offence, and up to 5 years if repeated.

Nasreen's neighbour makes sexual comments and obscene gestures whenever she passes. Sexual remarks are sexual harassment (BNS 75), and gestures meant to insult her modesty are an offence under BNS 79. Both are cognizable.

Deepak, a man, is being followed and pestered by a woman. The stalking section covers only a man stalking a woman, but Deepak can still complain about threats or intimidation under other sections.

What should you do?

1If you feel unsafe right now, call 112 or go to a crowded place, shop or police booth.
2Write down dates, times and places. Save messages, call logs, photos and CCTV details, and tell someone you trust.
3File an FIR at any police station; a Zero FIR is allowed. Your statement should be recorded by a woman officer.
4Ask for a free copy of the FIR and note the officer's name.
5Call the Women Helpline 181 for counselling, shelter or help from a One Stop Centre. For online stalking, also report on cybercrime.gov.in.
6If it happens at work, also complain to your office's Internal Committee under the POSH Act.

Exceptions & limits

The stalking and sexual harassment sections protect women. Men facing similar behaviour can use other sections, such as criminal intimidation.
Following someone is not stalking when it is done lawfully, for example by police investigating a crime, or when it is reasonable and justified in the situation.

Official legal reference

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 78
Stalking: a man repeatedly following or contacting a woman despite her clear disinterest, or monitoring her online. Up to 3 years; up to 5 if repeated.
Earlier: IPC Section 354DRead the official text
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 75
Sexual harassment: unwelcome touching and advances, demands for sexual favours, showing pornography, sexual remarks. Up to 3 years (remarks: up to 1 year).
Earlier: IPC Section 354ARead the official text
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 74
Assault or force on a woman intending to outrage her modesty: 1 to 5 years and fine.
Earlier: IPC Section 354Read the official text
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 79
Words, sounds, gestures or objects meant to insult a woman's modesty, or intruding on her privacy: up to 3 years simple jail and fine.
Earlier: IPC Section 509Read the official text
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — Section 173
FIR at any police station. For these offences, a woman's information is recorded by a woman police officer or woman officer. Free copy.
Earlier: CrPC Section 154Read the official text