Someone is abusing or threatening me online.

Simple answer

Threats, sexual remarks and damaging lies are crimes online too. Report and block first — platforms must act on complaints within fixed time limits. For threats to your safety, file a police complaint or report on cybercrime.gov.in. Rude criticism alone is usually not a crime.

Real-life examples

Fatima posted her views on a cricket match, and strangers replied with rape threats and sexual abuse. These can be offences like criminal intimidation and insulting a woman's modesty. She took screenshots, reported the accounts and filed a complaint on the cyber crime portal.

Vikram's post got hundreds of replies calling his opinion 'stupid'. That is rude, but not a crime. He blocked and muted the accounts. The old IT Act Section 66A on 'offensive' messages was struck down in 2015 and cannot be used.

What should you do?

1Take screenshots of posts, comments and the profile link, with date and time. Don't reply or argue.
2Report and block the accounts. If the platform doesn't act, write to its grievance officer, who must resolve complaints within 7 days.
3For threats of violence, sexual threats or stalking, report on cybercrime.gov.in or at your police station. Call 112 if you are in immediate danger.
4For lies that hurt your reputation, talk to a lawyer: criminal defamation needs a complaint before a Magistrate, and you can also sue for damages.
5Women can call 181 for support or complain to the National Commission for Women.

Exceptions & limits

Police usually cannot register an FIR for defamation alone. The court acts only on a complaint filed by the person defamed.
Criticism, jokes or rude opinions are generally protected speech unless they turn into threats, obscenity, hate speech or defamation.

Official legal reference

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 351
Criminal intimidation: threatening harm to your body, reputation or property; extra jail if the threat is anonymous.
Earlier: IPC Sections 503, 506, 507Read the official text
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 79
Words, sounds, gestures or objects meant to insult a woman's modesty: up to 3 years' jail and fine.
Earlier: IPC Section 509Read the official text
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — Section 356
Defamation: words or images that harm someone's reputation; up to 2 years' jail, fine or community service. Truth for the public good is a defence.
Earlier: IPC Sections 499, 500Read the official text
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 — Rule 3(2)
Platforms must acknowledge user complaints within 24 hours and resolve them within 7 days (15 days before February 2026).
Read the official text
Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015)
Supreme Court struck down IT Act Section 66A, which punished 'offensive' online messages, as a violation of free speech.