If
the Stalker is a stranger:
If a
man is following you on the road but hasn't made any harmful move towards you,
it is a cognisable offence. But if when you turn and ask him why he's following
you or glare at him angrily, and he abuses you or makes a threatening gesture,
then it becomes a cognisable offence under Section 504 and 506 of the Indian
Penal Code. If he threatens bodily harm, it becomes an offence under Section 506
II, where a FIR can be
filed.
If the stalker is a
known person: Confront him. If he still keeps it up, you can tell him you have
enough material against him and can take him to the
police.
What
you can do
Maintain a record of
the number of times you have noticed him/her following you. The police will need
all the evidence they can
get.
If you get text
messages on your mobile phone, the police can trace the number. Save the number
and the messages.
Go to
your local police station and file a report. The police will let the stalker
know that he is under 'shadow of doubt' and that he is being watched. If it
persists, the offence has become a cognisable one and the stalker can be
arrested. Of course, if it is an SMS offence, the accused will be charged
instantly and can be arrested for two
years.
(Information
courtesy advocate A Majeed
Memon)
When does one know
that the line between flirtation and obsession has been crossed?
"One just knows... it's an
instinctive feeling; a tiny sliver of fear starts to develop, a nagging doubt
that everything is not
fine.
"There was a lawyer who had
this stalker following him around. The stalker believed that the lawyer had
wronged him in a case. He would be present at every talk the lawyer give and try
and spoil it.
"The most classic
stalker mindset is: 'I am concerned about you. I know what is good for you and
can help you lead your life in a better manner.'
—
Psychotherapist Dr Anjali Chhabria
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