How to Legally Protect Your Partner and His Family from Threats and Intimidation in India

Priya Nair, a young woman from Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, came to us in a deeply distressed state in late March 2025. She had been in a relationship for over two years, and her parents — particularly her father, Ramakant Nair — had grown violently opposed to it. Ramakant had begun issuing direct verbal threats to Priya's partner, Arjun Mehta, and his family, warning that he would "finish" them if the relationship continued. Beyond the physical threats, he had also hinted at filing false legal complaints to harass Arjun and his parents.

Priya herself was battling severe anxiety and was under medical supervision at the time. She feared that her deteriorating mental health could be weaponised by her father, who might claim Arjun had caused it. A family friend had earlier approached a local general practitioner advocate, but the advice received was vague and no concrete steps were taken. The threats only escalated.

She then approached Advocate Sudhir Rao's office. The approach taken was methodical. Threat messages and call recordings were secured as evidence. A formal complaint was drafted and filed before the local Magistrate in addition to the police station having territorial jurisdiction. Simultaneously, the family was counselled on their rights and on the risks of retaliatory or impulsive action. Within a few weeks, Ramakant received formal notice and the threats ceased. Arjun's family was protected through a preventive action order. Priya's documented medical condition was carefully kept separate from the criminal complaint, so it could not be misused against Arjun.

You can read about this case in detail at https://sudhirrao.com/how-to-legally-protect-partner-family-from-threats-intimidat/