Gujarat Woman Files Cybercrime Complaint Against Estranged Husband for Instagram Harassment
A distressing case of online harassment has emerged from Gujarat, where a 30-year-old woman has filed a formal police complaint against her estranged husband. The woman, a resident of a village in Gandhinagar district, approached the Pethapur police on Tuesday, alleging a sustained campaign of digital defamation through the social media platform Instagram.
Background of the Domestic Dispute
According to the detailed First Information Report (FIR) registered by the authorities, the complainant had been residing with her parents for the past six months. This separation followed persistent and frequent conflicts with her husband. The couple, who have three children—two daughters and a son—found their marital life strained beyond repair.
The woman stated in her official complaint that repeated quarrels, coupled with her husband's alleged addiction to alcohol, compelled her to leave the matrimonial home. She returned to her parental residence in Gandhinagar, bringing her children with her for their safety and well-being. Meanwhile, her husband continues to live and work at a factory in Ahmedabad.
Allegations of Systematic Online Harassment
The core of the complaint revolves around a calculated campaign of online harassment allegedly orchestrated by the estranged husband. The woman claims that since September 12, 2025, he has been creating multiple Instagram accounts under various fictitious names.
Through these accounts, he is accused of uploading her photographs—some of which were reportedly morphed—accompanied by deeply derogatory captions and malicious comments aimed at tarnishing her reputation. To amplify the reach and impact, the accused allegedly shared these images as Instagram Stories, making them visible to a wider audience on the platform.
When the victim confronted him about these posts, the situation escalated further. She alleges that he responded with threats, vowing to continue creating and circulating such defamatory content to systematically damage her social standing and cause maximum humiliation.
Impact and Legal Action
The complainant described the profound psychological and social toll of this harassment. The repeated uploading of such malicious content has caused her significant mental anguish, severe emotional distress, and considerable social embarrassment within her community.
Seeking justice and protection, she has formally requested legal action against her husband for online harassment, criminal intimidation, and defamation. In response, the Pethapur police have registered a substantive offence under relevant legal provisions pertaining to:
- Cybercrime and IT Act violations
- Criminal intimidation
- Defamation
Ongoing Police Investigation
Police officials have confirmed that an active investigation is now underway. A critical focus is on collecting and preserving digital evidence. Investigators are meticulously verifying the social media accounts in question, analyzing the posted content, and gathering technical data to build a robust case.
This case highlights the growing intersection of domestic disputes and digital platforms, where personal conflicts can rapidly escalate into public campaigns of harassment. It underscores the legal recourse available to victims of such online abuse and the increasing vigilance of law enforcement in tackling cyber-enabled crimes, especially those targeting women within familial contexts.
