Karnataka HC Quashes Case Against Student Over Instagram DM Calling Classmate ‘Pretty’, Says ‘Gen Z Lingo’ Cannot Be a Crime
Karnataka High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a college student booked after sending an Instagram DM calling his classmate 'pretty', saying 'Gen Z lingo' cannot be treated as a crime.
The Karnataka High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against a 20-year-old college student who was booked after sending an Instagram direct message (DM) calling his classmate “pretty” nearly two years ago. The court held that the private exchange between classmates did not amount to a criminal offence and observed that “Gen Z lingo” cannot be treated as a crime.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, while allowing the student's petition, noted that the conversation took place in a private chat and was not a public exchange. “The language deployed is what students of this day use: Gen Z lingo. That cannot become a crime. Permitting investigation to continue would amount to abuse of the process of law,” the judge said.
The student had been booked on charges of voyeurism, stalking and outraging the modesty of a woman following a complaint filed by his classmate, who is the daughter of an IPS officer. The Karnataka High Court had earlier stayed the proceedings before finally quashing the case.
According to the case details, the complaint was reportedly registered after the Instagram message was shown to the girl's father. Challenging the FIR, the student argued that he was a young cricketer aspiring to represent the Tamil Nadu team and that the criminal case had adversely affected his career. Madhya Pradesh HC Quashes Bigamy Charge Against Muslim Man Who Married a Second Time; Says Personal Law Allows Polygamy.
The court was also informed that the girl had responded to the Instagram DM with a “thanks” message.
During the investigation, police seized the student's laptop and mobile phone. The petitioner contended that the seizure was carried out in violation of the mandatory legal procedure. Allahabad High Court Quashes FIR Against Married Couple, Issues Warning to Uttar Pradesh Police.
After examining the material on record, Justice Nagaprasanna concluded that there was neither any act of stalking nor voyeurism, and that the messages did not amount to outraging the modesty of a woman. Holding that continuing the investigation would amount to an abuse of the process of law, the Karnataka High Court quashed the criminal proceedings against the student.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2026 09:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).