Archive · 5 Dec 2025
Bombay HC: Social Media Harassment Can Attract IPC Charges
The Bombay High Court recently ruled that posting mean or false things about a woman on social media to harass or defame her is a serious crime.
A man tried to get a court case against him thrown out, but the judges said no.
The woman said the man posted bad things about her on Facebook after she refused to marry him.
He also showed up at her house with poison the day before her wedding.
The man said they were in a relationship and that her family asked for money, which he gave.
The court said that even if he gave money, it doesn't give him the right to harass her online.
The case will now go to trial to sort out the facts.
The Bombay High Court dismissed a man's plea to quash an FIR for allegedly harassing and defaming a woman on Facebook.
The woman claimed the man posted objectionable content about her after she refused his marriage proposal and threatened to commit suicide at her residence.
The man defended himself by saying they had a romantic relationship and that he gave her family money for the marriage, which was later called off.
The court ruled that the allegations attracted charges under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to outrage modesty) and 354-D (stalking) of the IPC.
The judges emphasized that social media cannot be used as a tool for harassment and that past relationships or financial transactions do not justify defamation.
- Who
- A married woman and a man involved in a past relationship
- What
- The Bombay High Court dismissed a plea to quash an FIR against a man for allegedly harassing and defaming a woman on social media
- When
- The case was heard and decided on December 5, 2023
- Where
- Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, Mumbai
- Why
- The court found that the allegations attracted serious charges under Sections 354 and 354-D of the IPC, and that social media cannot be misused for harassment
- Court
- Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench
- Judges
- Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Nandesh Deshpande
- Applicant
- Man seeking to quash FIR and criminal proceedings
- Complainant
- Married woman alleging harassment and defamation
- Sections of IPC
- 354 (assault or criminal force to outrage modesty) and 354-D (stalking)
- Alleged Actions
- Posting objectionable content on Facebook, threatening suicide, stalking
- Court's Decision
- Dismissed the quashing plea, allowing the case to proceed to trial
- Key Legal Principle
- Social media cannot be used as a tool for harassment or defamation