Public Threat or Criminal Intimidation on Road
What you need to know
If someone has threatened you on a public road — verbally or through gestures implying harm — this constitutes criminal intimidation under Indian law. Such threats are taken seriously regardless of the underlying dispute, and the police are legally obligated to register your complaint. You have the right to file an FIR and, if needed, seek anticipatory bail protection or a restraining order. Prompt action is important to establish a legal record before the situation escalates.
Your rights
Right to file an FIR at the nearest police station without paying any fee
Right to protection from criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Right to approach a Magistrate directly if police refuse to register your FIR
Right to request police protection or interim relief if you fear imminent harm
What you should do now
Action firstSecure evidence immediately
- Note date, time, exact location, and names/descriptions of witnesses present
- Save any video recordings (CCTV, bystander videos) or audio if available
- Screenshot any related messages or calls from the same person
File an FIR at the local police station
- Go to the police station under whose jurisdiction the road falls and give a written complaint
- Insist the officer register an FIR under BNS Section 351; ask for a copy with the FIR number
- If refused, send complaint by registered post to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district
Escalate if police are unresponsive
- File an online complaint on your State Police portal or the National Police Complaint Portal
- Approach the Judicial Magistrate under Section 175 BNSS to direct police to register the FIR
Seek legal protection if threat is ongoing
- Consult a lawyer about applying for anticipatory bail (for yourself) or a restraining/protection order against the threatening person
- If the person is known and the dispute is ongoing, consider a civil injunction from a civil court
Acts applicable
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
centralSection 351 — Criminal Intimidation (threat to cause injury to person, reputation, or property)
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
centralSection 352 — Intentional insult with provocation to breach peace
Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) / BNSS 2023
centralSection 154 BNSS — Compulsory registration of FIR