A person in Lucknow threatened to release my private chats unless I paid him ₹1 lakh. What law protects me?
SW Asked by Swati Kulkarni from India
Quick Answer
File an FIR at the cyber crime police station in Lucknow under Section 111 BNS, 2023 (extortion), Section 66E IT Act, 2000 (violation of privacy), and Section 351 BNS for criminal intimidation.
Detailed Legal Analysis
File an FIR at the cyber crime police station in Lucknow under Section 111 BNS, 2023 (extortion), Section 66E IT Act, 2000 (violation of privacy), and Section 351 BNS for criminal intimidation. Section 67 IT Act applies if obscene content is being threatened to be published, punishable up to three years.
Preserve all threat messages and call recordings as electronic evidence under Section 63B BSA, 2023. Do not pay the extortion; report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal immediately.
The police can trace the accused through digital footprints and call detail records. If police do not act, approach Allahabad High Court under Article 226 for a direction.
Check Uttar Pradesh Rent Control Act 1972 for state-level victim protection or witness protection schemes.
Disclaimer: AI-generated for educational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.