The Punjab government has prepared a draft law aimed at tackling modern digital crimes such as cyber bullying, stalking, secret filming, online blackmail, and digital extortion.
The new framework is designed to replace older laws that officials say are no longer effective in today’s digital environment.
Old Law to Be Replaced With Modern Legal Framework
The proposed legislation, titled the Punjab Control of Habitual Offenders and Antisocial Behaviour Act 2026, is set to replace the decades-old Control of Goondas Act.
Officials say the old law was created for traditional street crime and does not properly address online harassment, social media abuse, or digital threats that have become more common in recent years.
The new law aims to provide stronger protection against both physical and digital forms of intimidation.
Strong Action Against Online Harassment and Stalking
Under the proposed law, authorities will be able to take action against individuals involved in:
- Secretly recording someone in private situations
- Stalking or repeated unwanted contact
- Online harassment and cyber bullying
- Digital blackmail and online extortion
- Behavior that creates fear or disturbs public peace
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Officials say the goal is to protect citizens from abuse that often begins online but can seriously affect real life safety and dignity.
Habitual Offender System Introduced at District Level
The draft law introduces a new system where District Intelligence Committees can recommend that a person be declared a habitual offender.
Once classified, a person may face serious administrative restrictions, including:
- Placement on a no-fly list
- Passport blocking or confiscation
- Freezing of bank accounts
- Cancellation of weapons licenses
- Increased monitoring and surveillance
Authorities say these measures are intended to stop repeat offenders and improve public safety, especially in cases involving persistent harassment or digital abuse.
Property and Financial Action Under Court Oversight
The law also includes provisions that allow property attachment or confiscation in serious cases. However, officials have clarified that all such actions will remain subject to judicial review to prevent misuse of authority.
Safeguards and Right to Appeal Included
To ensure fairness, the draft law includes legal protections for accused individuals. These include the right to defense and the right to appeal.
An appellate tribunal is also proposed. It will include a retired district judge along with other members who will review decisions made under the law.
Officials say this system is meant to balance strong enforcement with legal fairness.
Purpose Is Safer Digital Environment
Authorities say the main objective of the new legislation is to create a modern legal system that can effectively deal with digital threats such as online harassment, cyber bullying, and covert privacy violations.
They believe existing laws were not designed for the scale and speed of digital abuse seen today, especially on social media platforms.
The government says the new framework is intended to make Punjab safer both online and offline while ensuring accountability for repeat offenders.
