I'm being blackmailed after a video call, what should I do about this sextortion?

Someone recorded a compromising video call with me and is now demanding money to not leak it. I have been reading conflicting things online and I would like to understand what Indian law actually says about this, which Act and Section applies, what the realistic timelines and costs are, and what I should be doing right now to protect my position. If the matter can be resolved without litigation I would prefer that route, but I want to know what my rights are before I agree to anything or sign any document.

I'm being blackmailed after a video call, what should I do about this sextortion? is governed in India primarily by Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66E, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 67A, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 308 (extortion) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 351 (criminal intimidation). The short answer is set out below, followed by the practical steps most people in this situation need to take. Read it alongside the specific provisions named, because the exact relief available to you turns on the facts you can prove on paper.

Sextortion is extortion under Section 308 BNS (up to 7 years imprisonment) combined with Section 66E/67A of the IT Act for the unauthorised recording and threat to publish private images.

Do not pay the blackmailer — payment rarely stops the demands and instead confirms you are a paying target, encouraging repeated extortion.

The 1930 cyber helpline and cybercrime.gov.in have a dedicated fast-track process for sextortion given how time-sensitive these cases are; most such accounts operate from outside India and platforms can be asked to preserve/remove content urgently.

Under Section 351 BNS, the threat itself (even before any payment or leak) is criminal intimidation and can be reported immediately without waiting for the content to actually be published.

Police cyber cells can request platforms like WhatsApp/Instagram/Facebook to disable the account and preserve logs for investigation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process if the account is foreign-based.

What to do next: 1) Stop all communication and do not make any payment; 2) Block the number/account but save screenshots and chat logs first; 3) Report immediately at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930; 4) Inform a trusted family member/friend so you are not isolated during the process.

If the other side has already issued a notice, filed a case or set a deadline, treat the matter as time-sensitive — most remedies under Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66E carry limitation periods, and a delay you cannot explain weakens an otherwise strong case. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in this practice area.

Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes and their interpretation change, and outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Please consult a qualified advocate before acting on it.