Kangra/Ludhiana : In a significant action against cyber harassment and online impersonation, Nurpur Police in Himachal Pradesh have arrested a man from Ludhiana, Punjab, for allegedly creating multiple fake Instagram accounts in a woman’s name, misusing photographs of her and her family, and issuing death threats through WhatsApp calls.
The accused has been identified as Sham Lal, son of Joginder Pal, a resident of Sherpur Chowk in Ludhiana. According to police, he allegedly used the fraudulent social media profiles to post photographs of the woman and her family members alongside obscene and objectionable comments, with the apparent intention of damaging their personal and social reputation.
The case was registered at Damtal Police Station on August 26, 2026, following a complaint by the woman. The arrest was confirmed in reports published on November 13 by news agencies and local media, quoting Nurpur Police officials.
Personal photographs and mobile number allegedly misused
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly created several Instagram profiles using the woman’s identity and uploaded photographs of her and her family members. The images were accompanied by obscene and objectionable remarks, causing distress to the complainant and her family.
The alleged harassment was not confined to the fake accounts. Police said the woman’s mobile number was also circulated on social media, following which she began receiving repeated calls from unknown numbers.
The complainant further alleged that the accused threatened to kill her and members of her family through WhatsApp calls. The nature of the threats and the misuse of her personal information prompted her to approach the police.
Cyber Cell traces accused to Punjab
Taking the complaint seriously, Damtal Police initiated an investigation with assistance from the Nurpur Cyber Cell. Investigators examined digital evidence and technical inputs to identify the person allegedly operating the fake accounts.
Police subsequently traced the accused to Ludhiana and arrested him in Punjab. The fake Instagram profiles linked to the complaint were also blocked or deleted to prevent further circulation of the objectionable material.
Additional Superintendent of Police Dharam Chand Verma confirmed the action and said that further investigation was underway. Police are examining the content uploaded through the fraudulent accounts and other electronic evidence connected with the case.
FIR registered under specific legal provisions
The case is registered as FIR No. 141/2026 at Damtal Police Station. According to the police information reported by UNI and other local publications, the accused has been booked under Sections 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
Section 351(2) of the BNS deals with criminal intimidation, while Section 352 concerns intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace. Section 6 of the 1986 Act prescribes punishment for offences involving indecent representation of women under the Act.
Police appeal to preserve digital evidence
Nurpur Police have urged people not to create fake social media profiles, impersonate others or misuse photographs and personal information. The police have also advised victims of online harassment to preserve screenshots, profile links, messages, call details and other relevant electronic evidence before reporting the matter to the nearest police station or cyber cell.
The case highlights how social media platforms can be misused to target individuals, damage reputations and intimidate families, with harassment extending from online posts to unwanted calls and direct threats.
The investigation is continuing, and the allegations against the arrested man remain subject to police investigation and the judicial process. His arrest does not, by itself, establish guilt. The identity of the complainant has not been disclosed in the police accounts, and authorities have not publicly specified the motive behind the alleged harassment.
