How to report body shaming and bullying under BNS and UGC rules

Why "it's just a joke" is a legal lie

You are at a family gathering or sitting in the college canteen. Someone makes a loud comment about your weight, your skin colour, or how your clothes fit. When you don't laugh, they roll their eyes and say, "Why are you so insecure? It was just a joke. Don't be so sensitive."

Here is the reality: in India, what people dismiss as "insecurity" is often the psychological fallout of persistent bullying and body shaming. When this behaviour happens in schools, colleges, or online, it isn't just a "social issue"—it often crosses the line into criminal intimidation, defamation, or harassment. You aren't being "too sensitive"; you are being targeted. Whether it is a relative, a classmate, or an anonymous troll, the law provides you with tools to draw a line. This guide explains how to move from feeling "insecure" to taking documented, legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and UGC regulations.

What the law actually says about bullying and body shaming

In India, there isn't a single "Body Shaming Act," but several laws work together to protect you from harassment that targets your appearance or identity. Since July 1, 2024, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has replaced the IPC, and it contains specific provisions you can use.

1. Criminal Harassment and Insult

• Section 79 of the BNS: This section deals with "word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman." If body shaming involves sexual overtones or is intended to humiliate a woman based on her physical attributes, this section applies. It carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.
• Section 352 of the BNS: This covers "intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace." If someone insults you in a way that they know will cause you to react or break your mental peace, they can be charged under this section.
• Section 351 of the BNS: This defines "Criminal Intimidation." If the bullying includes threats to your reputation or person, it falls here.
• Section 356 of the BNS: This covers defamation. If someone makes false, malicious statements about your physical health or appearance to lower your reputation in society, you can pursue a defamation case.

2. Institutional Rules (UGC and Schools)

If the bullying happens in a college or university, it falls under the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging (2009). The UGC defines ragging broadly, including "any act which has the effect of teasing, treating or handling with rudeness a fresher or any other student." This specifically includes acts that cause psychological harm or raise fear or apprehension.

For schools, the CBSE circulars and the POCSO Act (if the victim is under 18 and the shaming is of a sexual nature) provide a framework for mandatory Internal Complaints Committees (ICC).

3. Online Body Shaming (Cyber Laws)

If the shaming happens on Instagram, WhatsApp, or X (formerly Twitter), the Information Technology Act, 2000 applies:

• Section 66E: Violation of privacy (e.g., taking a photo of you without consent to mock your body).
• Section 67: Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.

4. The Right to Mental Health

Under Section 18 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, every person has a right to access mental healthcare services run or funded by the government. If bullying has led to severe anxiety or depression, the state is legally obligated to provide you with support. You can read more about this in our guide on Mental health helplines (iCall, Vandrevala, NIMHANS).

Your playbook for taking action

When you decide to stop "ignoring it" and start acting, follow these steps to ensure your case is bulletproof.

Step 1: The "Evidence Locker"

Law and administration run on proof, not just feelings. Before you confront the person or report them, document everything.

• Digital: Take screenshots of comments, DMs, or posts. Do not delete them. Save the URL of the profile and the specific post.
• Physical: If the bullying happens in person, keep a "harassment log." Write down the date, time, location, exactly what was said, and who else was there to hear it (witnesses).
• Recordings: Under Indian law, you can record a conversation you are part of. If a teacher or boss is shaming you, a voice recording on your phone can be vital evidence.

Step 2: The Institutional Route (For Students)

If you are in a college or school, do not go to the police first. Use the internal mechanism to create a paper trail.

• Identify the Committee: Every college must have an Anti-Ragging Committee and an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Look for their names and contact details on your college website or notice board.
• File a Written Complaint: Do not just "talk" to a professor. Write a formal letter or email. Mention the specific incidents and use the word "harassment" or "ragging."
• Timeline: The college is usually required to begin an inquiry within 7 days. If they don't, you can escalate to the University Vice-Chancellor or the National Anti-Ragging Helpline (1800-180-5522).

Step 3: The Online Reporting Route

If the shaming is happening on social media:

• Report to the Platform: Use the "Harassment" or "Bullying" reporting tool on the app. This helps in getting the content taken down.
• Cybercrime Portal: For serious or persistent online stalking and shaming, file a complaint at Cyber Crime reporting portal (cybercrime.gov.in). You can file anonymously if you choose.

Step 4: Filing an FIR (The Legal Route)

If the bullying is severe, involves threats, or the institution is protecting the bully, you must go to the police.

• Draft your complaint: State the facts clearly. Mention the specific words used. If you are a woman, ask for a woman police officer to record your statement under Section 173 of the BNSS.
• Zero FIR: If the incident happened in another city or district, you can still file a "Zero FIR" at your nearest police station. They are legally bound to register it and transfer it to the correct station. Learn more about this in our guide on How to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).
• Timeline: The police must provide you with a free copy of the FIR immediately.

Step 5: Support and Escalation

If the police refuse to register your FIR, or if the bullying is based on your caste or gender, you can escalate to:

• National Commission for Women (NCW): If you are a woman facing harassment.
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): If you are under 18.
• RTI: If an institution is not sharing the status of your bullying complaint, you can File an RTI online to demand the status of the investigation.

Browse all civic-action guides

Where it usually breaks

Even with the law on your side, the "system" often treats bullying like a personality clash rather than a legal violation. Here is where your complaint might hit a wall and how to push through:

1. The "Masti" Excuse: Whether it is a police officer or a college dean, someone will inevitably say, "Bachhe hain, masti kar rahe thhe" (They are kids, just having fun).

   • The Workaround: Don't argue about their "intent." Stick to the impact. Use the phrase: "Under Section 352 of the BNS, the intent to provoke a breach of peace is what matters, and my mental peace is breached." If it’s a college, remind them that the UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging (2009) do not distinguish between "fun" and "harassment"—if it causes psychological harm, it is ragging.

2. The FIR Refusal: If you go to a police station for body shaming that has escalated to threats or sexual insults (Section 79 BNS), the officer might refuse to file an FIR, telling you to "settle it" at home or college.

   • The Workaround: Cite the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014). The police are mandated to register an FIR if the information discloses a cognizable offence. If they still refuse, send your complaint via Registered Post to the Superintendent of Police (SP) under Section 173(8) of the BNSS (formerly Section 154(3) of the CrPC).

3. The "Delete" Tactic: In online bullying, the harasser often deletes the comments or deactivates their account once they know you’re taking action.

   • The Workaround: This is why "Step 1: Evidence Locker" is vital. A screenshot is good, but a screen recording showing the profile URL and the comments is better. If it's on WhatsApp, use the 'Export Chat' feature. Even if they delete the message for everyone, the exported text file remains.

4. Institutional Gaslighting: Colleges often try to "mediate" because an official ragging complaint hurts their NIRF rankings or reputation.

   • The Workaround: You are not obligated to sit in a mediation room with your bully. If the college's Anti-Ragging Committee is dragging its feet, bypass them. Call the UGC National Anti-Ragging Helpline (1800-180-5522) or email [email protected]. Once the UGC gets involved, the college is legally required to submit an action-taken report.

Templates / script

1. Script for speaking to a Police Officer (FIR Refusal)

"Officer, I am here to report a cognizable offence under Section 79 and Section 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. As per the Lalita Kumari (2014) judgment of the Supreme Court, you are required to register an FIR when a cognizable offence is disclosed. If you feel this is a non-cognizable matter, please provide me with a signed 'Non-Cognizable Report' (NCR) as per Section 174 of the BNSS, so I can take this to the Magistrate."

2. Email template for College Anti-Ragging Committee

Subject: Formal Complaint regarding Harassment and Ragging – [Your Name/Roll No]

To the Chairperson, Anti-Ragging Committee,

I am writing to formally report a persistent pattern of bullying and body shaming by [Name of Accused/Group], which falls under the definition of 'Ragging' as per the UGC Regulations (2009).

Incident Details: [Date, Time, Location] Nature of Harassment: [Describe the body shaming/insults used. Be specific about the words used.] Impact: This has caused me significant psychological distress and created a hostile learning environment.

I request you to initiate an inquiry as per the UGC mandate. I have attached screenshots/evidence of the same. Please acknowledge receipt of this email. If I do not hear back within [3 days], I will be compelled to escalate this to the National Anti-Ragging Helpline.

Regards, [Your Name] [Phone Number]

3. Cyber Cell Complaint (Online Body Shaming)

When filing at cybercrime.gov.in, use this description: "The accused [Username/Profile Link] is persistently targeting me with derogatory comments regarding my physical appearance. This includes [mention if they used your photos]. This is a violation of my privacy under Section 66E of the IT Act and constitutes intentional insult under Section 352 of the BNS. Attached are the screen recordings and URLs of the offending posts."

FAQs

1. Can I report a family member for body shaming? Legally, yes. Sections 352 (Insult) and 356 (Defamation) of the BNS apply to everyone, regardless of your relationship with them. However, police are often reluctant to interfere in "family matters" unless there is physical violence or a demand for dowry. If the shaming is severe, a legal notice sent via a lawyer is often more effective than an FIR for relatives.

2. Is there a fee for filing a complaint with the UGC or the Police? No. Filing an FIR at a police station or a complaint with the UGC Anti-Ragging Helpline is completely free. If any official asks for money to "process" your complaint, they are asking for a bribe, which is a separate crime under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

3. What if I don't have "perfect" evidence like a recording? Direct witness testimony is also evidence. If the body shaming happened in a classroom, canteen, or office, the names of people who were present count. Under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), oral evidence is valid. Don't stop yourself from reporting just because you didn't have your camera recording.

4. Will reporting this ruin my career or reputation? In college cases, the UGC Regulations mandate that the identity of the complainant be kept confidential if they request it. While a legal battle can be public, the law (Section 72 of the BNS) specifically prohibits disclosing the identity of victims in certain sexual harassment cases. Taking action usually signals to bullies that you are a "high-risk" target, which often makes them stop.

5. How long does the UGC take to act? Once you call the National Anti-Ragging Helpline, they usually contact the college head (Principal/Vice-Chancellor) within 24 hours. The college is then expected to start an internal inquiry immediately. If they don't, the UGC can recommend the disaffiliation of the college or the withholding of grants.

6. What if the person bullying me is also a minor (under 18)? If the bully is between 15 and 18 and commits a "heinous" crime, they can be tried as an adult under the Juvenile Justice Act. For body shaming (which is usually a "petty" or "serious" offence), they will be sent to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB). They won't go to a regular jail but can be sent to a 'Special Home' or ordered to perform community service and counseling.