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How to handle targeted online harassment and the Konichiwa Lyari trend

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Getting creeped out by weird DMs or Konichiwa Lyari style stalking? Here is how to use the law to shut down cyber harassers and file a report that actually moves.

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10 min read
#cyber harassment india#BNS Section 78 stalking#cybercrime reporting portal#online stalking laws india#how to file cyber FIR#Konichiwa Lyari trend#doxxing laws india#IT Act section 66E

1. The Hook

You are scrolling through Reddit or Discord, and you see it: "Konichiwa Lyari." At first, it looks like just another niche internet meme or a weird inside joke. But then the DMs start. Someone you don't know starts dropping details that they shouldn't have—like which coaching centre you go to in Kota, which park you skate at in Chandigarh, or which college fest you attended last week.

Targeted harassment isn't a "vibe"; it's a crime. When digital stalking moves from annoying to threatening, or when someone starts "doxxing" you (leaking your private info), you need to stop being a spectator. Whether it's a persistent creep or a coordinated harassment campaign, the Indian legal system has specific tools to help you hit back. You don't need to wait for things to get "serious"—if you feel unsafe, the law is already on your side.

2. What the law actually says

Since July 1, 2024, India has transitioned from the old IPC to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. If you are dealing with a "Konichiwa Lyari" situation—where someone is monitoring your online activity to foster personal interaction despite your clear disinterest—you are looking at specific legal violations.

Stalking under BNS

Section 78 of the BNS (formerly Section 354D of the IPC) defines stalking. It specifically includes monitoring the use by a person of the internet, email, or any other form of electronic communication. If someone is following your digital footprint to harass you, they are committing a cognizable offence. For the first conviction, the punishment can be up to 3 years in jail plus a fine.

Insulting Modesty and Privacy

  • Section 79 of the BNS: This covers any gesture or object intended to insult the modesty of a woman. In the digital space, this includes sending lewd stickers, morphed photos, or sexually explicit DMs.
  • Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000: If this "Lyari" character or any harasser captures, publishes, or transmits the image of a private area of any person without their consent, they are violating your privacy. This carries a penalty of up to 3 years in jail or a fine up to ₹2 lakh, or both.

Sexual Harassment

Section 75 of the BNS covers sexual harassment. If the DMs include unwelcome sexual overtones or requests for sexual favours, it falls under this section. Even if it's "just online," the physical location of the harasser doesn't matter if the victim is in India.

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

While the rules are still being finalised as of 2026, the DPDP Act establishes that no one can process your personal data (like your phone number or address) without your explicit consent for a specific purpose. Doxxing is a direct violation of the spirit of this law.

If you are under 18, these acts are also viewed through the lens of the POCSO Act, 2012, which has even stricter non-bailable provisions for harassment. If you are a minor facing this, check out our guide on Childline India: 1098.

3. Step-by-step playbook

When dealing with a targeted harasser, your goal is to move from "victim" to "evidence collector." Do not delete the messages in a panic. Follow this sequence:

  1. The Evidence Vault

    Before you block them, you need a record. Courts and police need proof, not just your word.

    • Screenshots: Capture the full conversation. Ensure the timestamp and the harasser’s handle/username are visible.
    • Profile Links: Copy the URL of the harasser’s profile. Usernames can be changed in seconds; unique profile IDs or URLs are harder to hide.
    • Header Information: If the harassment is via email, save the "Email Header." This contains the IP address information that police use to track the device.
    • Screen Recording: If they are sending disappearing messages (like on Instagram Vanish Mode or Snapchat), use another phone to record the screen. Do not rely on the app’s internal notification system.

  2. Lock Down and Report to Platform

    Once you have the evidence, cut off their access to you.

    • Block and Mute: Use the platform's tools.
    • Report to the App: Use the "Report" function for "Harassment" or "Stalking." This flags the account for the platform's safety team.
    • Privacy Audit: Set your profiles to private. Remove your location from your bio and untag yourself from photos that reveal your frequent hangouts.

  3. File a Report on the Cyber Crime Portal

    You don't need to go to a police station for the first step.

    1. Go to the Cyber Crime reporting portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
    2. Select "Report Crime Related to Women/Children" or "Other Cyber Crime" depending on the nature of the harassment.
    3. What to upload: Upload the screenshots and URLs you saved in Step 1.
    4. The Narrative: In the description, be clinical. Use phrases like: "The accused is persistently monitoring my digital activity (Section 78 BNS)" or "The accused has shared my private details without consent."
    5. Timeline: Usually, you will receive an acknowledgement (National Crime Reference Number) via SMS/Email within 24–48 hours.

  4. The Zero FIR (If the threat is immediate)

    If the harasser is threatening physical harm or showing up at your locations, you need a How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).

    • Where to go: Any police station. Under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the police are mandated to record an FIR for cognizable offences.
    • Zero FIR: If the crime happened online or the harasser is in another city, the police might try to say "this isn't our jurisdiction." Tell them you want to file a "Zero FIR." They must register it and then transfer it to the relevant station.
    • The Lalita Kumari (2014) Rule: The Supreme Court ruled that registration of an FIR is mandatory if the information discloses a cognizable offence. If they refuse, mention this judgment.

  5. Escalate to the Cyber Cell

    Every district in India now has a Cyber Cell or a designated Cyber Police Station. If the local 'thana' is clueless about "Konichiwa Lyari" or Discord bots, ask to speak to the Cyber Cell officer. They have the tools to send notices to platforms like Meta, X, or Reddit to get the IP logs of the harasser.

    If you're feeling overwhelmed by the process, you can find support through Mental health helplines (iCall, Vandrevala, NIMHANS) to stay grounded while you fight back.

    Browse all civic-action guides

Where it usually breaks

The system isn’t perfect. Even with clear laws, you will likely hit these three roadblocks:

1. The "Just Block Them" Dismissal When you go to a local police station, an officer might tell you to "just deactivate your account" or "ignore the trolls." They might treat digital stalking as a "bachon wali baat" (childish matter).

  • The Workaround: Don't argue; cite the law. Remind them that under the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of Uttar Pradesh (2014), police are mandated to register an FIR if the complaint discloses a cognizable offence (like stalking under Section 78 BNS). If they still refuse, ask for the "Station Diary" entry number or send your complaint via Registered Post to the Superintendent of Police (SP) under Section 173(4) of the BNSS.

2. The "Anonymous Profile" Dead End If the "Lyari" harasser is using a VPN or a burner account, the local police might claim they can't find them.

  • The Workaround: This is why the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) is better than a local Thana for the initial report. The portal routes your case to the specialised Cyber Cell, which has the tools to request IP logs and metadata from platforms like Meta, Reddit, or Discord under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

3. Portal Glitches The cybercrime portal can be slow or fail to upload large video files.

  • The Workaround: Keep your evidence files under 5MB each. If the portal is down, do not wait. Go to the nearest Cyber Crime Police Station in your city. Every major Indian district now has one. You can find the list on your state police’s official .gov.in website.

Sources

Templates & scripts

Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.

Script: Talking to the Police

If the officer is hesitant to file your complaint, use this script: "Sir/Ma'am, I am being targeted and monitored online, which is a clear case of stalking under Section 78 of the BNS. This person has also shared my private information without consent, violating Section 66E of the IT Act. As per the Lalita Kumari judgment, this is a cognizable offence and an FIR must be registered. If you cannot file it here, please register a Zero FIR and transfer it to the Cyber Cell."

Email Template: Grievance Officer of the Platform

Under Indian law, social media companies must have a Grievance Officer. Use this to get the content taken down within 24–72 hours:

Subject: Urgent: Complaint regarding Targeted Harassment and Violation of IT Rules 2021 To: [Find the platform's Grievance Email in their 'Terms of Service' or 'Contact Us' page]

"I am writing to report the account [Username/Link] for targeted harassment and stalking (Konichiwa Lyari trend).

  1. The Violation: This user is [monitoring my activity/doxxing me/sending unsolicited messages].
  2. Indian Law: This activity violates Section 78 BNS and Section 66E of the IT Act, 2000.
  3. Requirement: Under Rule 3(2)(b) of the IT Rules 2021, you are required to take down content that depicts a private area or is in the nature of sexual harassment within 24 hours of receipt of this complaint. I have already filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (Acknowledgement No: [Insert No]). Please disable access to this content immediately."

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I report the "Konichiwa Lyari" harasser anonymously?

Yes. On **cybercrime.gov.in**, there is an option to "Report anonymously" for crimes involving "Women/Children related crime." However, for a full investigation and to track the case, providing your details is recommended. The police are legally bound to keep a woman's identity confidential in cases of sexual harassment or stalking.

2. What if the harasser is a minor (under 18)?

They aren't "safe" from the law. They will be processed under the **Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015**. While the focus is on rehabilitation, the harassment will still be investigated, and their devices can be seized.

3. Does it cost money to file a cyber complaint or an FIR?

No. Filing a complaint on the national portal or an FIR at a police station is absolutely free. If any officer asks for a "fee" or "processing charge," they are asking for a bribe. You can report this to the **Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)** of your state.

4. I’m a guy being harassed by these accounts. Do the same BNS sections apply?

Section 78 (Stalking) and 79 (Insulting modesty) of the BNS are currently written to protect women. However, **Section 66E of the IT Act** (Privacy violation) and **Section 66D** (Cheating by personation using computer resource) are **gender-neutral**. You have every right to file a complaint and the Cyber Cell must investigate.

5. How long does it take for the police to act?

Once you get an acknowledgement number from the portal, it usually takes 48–72 hours for the case to be assigned to an officer. For urgent threats, skip the portal and go directly to the nearest Cyber Police Station.

6. What if I already deleted the DMs or the harasser "unsent" them?

Don't panic. Forensic experts in the Cyber Cell can often recover deleted data from your device's cache or by sending a legal request to the platform's headquarters. However, in the future, always take screenshots or a screen recording immediately.

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