My husband regularly sends threatening messages on WhatsApp and makes abusive phone calls at odd hours. He has never physically harmed me. Can threats and abusive communication made over phone and messaging applications constitute a criminal offence and what procedure should I follow to file a complaint?
Threats made over phone or WhatsApp can constitute criminal harassment, and Indian law treats digital communication with the same seriousness as in-person conduct when it comes to establishing cruelty or harassment. Whether threats made over phone or WhatsApp constitute criminal harassment depends on the content and pattern of the messages, but courts have repeatedly relied on such digital evidence under Section 85/86 BNS and related provisions, since threatening or abusive messages provide clear, timestamped, and often irrefutable documentation of the harassment experienced.
This makes preserving these messages — through screenshots, backups, and where necessary, certified copies with proper authentication under Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — an essential step in building a strong case. Even messages sent to third parties that reference threats against you, or voice notes containing abusive content, can be relevant and admissible evidence.
If you have received threatening messages and want to understand how to use them effectively in a complaint, our legal experts at Aapka Legal Advice can guide you through proper preservation and presentation of this evidence. Our network of Top Criminal Lawyers in India and retired judges panel have extensive experience using digital evidence to secure protective and punitive relief.