Written police complaint for extortion, threats, blackmail, or intimidation — to register an FIR under BNS 2023.
Police station where threat was received.
File FIR immediately.
This coverage is provided by a practicing advocate. Specific sections cited depend on the facts you provide during drafting.
A police complaint for extortion or criminal threats is filed when a person has demanded money or valuables from you by threat of injury, damage to property, or harm to reputation — or when you are receiving threats to your life, safety, or property. Extortion is a cognizable, non-bailable offence under Section 383 IPC, and criminal intimidation under Section 503 IPC is equally serious. Filing a complaint triggers an official investigation and creates a legal record protecting you.
File this complaint when: someone is demanding money under threat of violence or harm, when you receive phone calls or messages threatening injury unless you pay up, when a business rival threatens you, when a former partner is threatening to release private information unless paid, or when a loan shark or moneylender uses threats to demand repayment. Also relevant for threats by government officials (which additionally attract anti-corruption laws).
Section 383 IPC defines extortion as putting a person in fear of injury and thereby inducing delivery of property. Section 384 IPC penalises extortion with imprisonment up to 3 years. Sections 385–389 IPC cover aggravated forms of extortion (during dacoity, armed extortion). Section 503 IPC (criminal intimidation — threat of injury to person, property, or reputation — up to 2 years). Section 506 IPC (punishment for criminal intimidation). All are cognizable offences. For cyber extortion: Sections 66C, 66D IT Act, 2000.
Not reporting extortion/threats allows the perpetrator to continue with impunity and typically escalates the demands. File an FIR immediately. If police are unresponsive, approach the Superintendent of Police, State Human Rights Commission, or Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC. Keep records of all threats (screenshots, recordings where legally permissible).
Extortion (Section 383 IPC) involves putting someone in fear and inducing them to voluntarily deliver property — the victim delivers under fear, not direct physical force. Robbery (Section 390 IPC) involves taking property by force or immediate threat of force. Extortion can occur at a distance (threats by phone/message); robbery requires presence.
Screenshots of threatening messages/calls, call recordings (where legally obtained), any documents or evidence of demand (e.g., bank account details provided by the extortionist), witness names if threats were made in public, and a detailed written account of all incidents with dates, times, and content of threats.
In India, recording your own telephone conversations (without the other party's consent) is generally permissible and courts have admitted such recordings as evidence. Public order and safety are also valid justifications. Consult a lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
Extortion by a government/police officer attracts additional penalties under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Section 7/8 — demanding illegal gratification). File a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Superintendent of Police (Vigilance), Lokayukta, or directly to the High Court through a writ petition.
Cyber extortion includes: threatening to release private photos/videos unless paid (sextortion), ransomware attacks demanding cryptocurrency, and online harassment campaigns threatening reputation damage unless paid. File on cybercrime.gov.in immediately. Such cases are investigated by Cyber Crime Police under IT Act and IPC.
Yes. If you can demonstrate a credible threat to your life or safety, you can apply to the local Magistrate or Police Superintendent for protective security. In serious cases, courts can grant police protection orders. Approach the Magistrate's court urgently if the threat is imminent.
Even if you have paid, file a police complaint — the payment itself is evidence of the extortion. Courts treat victims who paid under fear as coerced parties, not willing accomplices. Your complaint will help police catch the extortionist and prevent further victimisation of others.
Yes. Filing a false FIR is an offence under Section 182 IPC (giving false information to public servant) and Section 211 IPC (false charge of offence). File only genuine complaints with truthful facts. Document all evidence carefully before approaching the police.
Please confirm all of the following before proceeding with your Extortion / Threat document:
Please confirm all eligibility conditions above to proceed. If you are unsure about any point, you may not be eligible for this type of notice.