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Advocate Threats & Harassment – Criminal Legal Opinion
01-Jul-2026 (In Criminal Law)
I consulted an advocate regarding my legal matter. Before confirming the appointment, neither on phone nor on WhatsApp was I informed that the consultation was chargeable. Even after I reached the office and throughout the consultation, no one informed me that any consultation fee was payable. I noticed a fee board only after the consultation had already started. After the consultation ended, I was directly asked to pay ₹5,500. When I raised that the fee had never been disclosed before or during the consultation, I started receiving repeated WhatsApp messages and around 20 calls. Messages included: "Will talk to police tomorrow for your arrest", "Will send you in jail", "You will be in prison", "Now see the repercussions", "Last warning", and "Nahi dene ki haisiyat hai to bata de." I have complete WhatsApp chats, screenshots and call logs. Please advise whether these facts disclose any criminal offence, harassment or intimidation, and what would be the most appropriate legal remedy.
Preserve all WhatsApp chats, screenshots, call logs and any recordings. You may file a written complaint before the local police/SHO. If the police fail to act, remedies before the Magistrate under the BNSS are also available. Separately, you may lodge a complaint before the State Bar Council regarding professional misconduct if the advocate's conduct violates professional ethics. The outcome will depend upon the evidence and the exact contents of the communications.
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Adv. Madhvi Chopra
Adv. Madhvi Chopra
Delhi | 50+ Answers
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In view of the facts you have just stated there cannot be any criminal case against you as threats are being given to you, there is no such provision in criminal law that can land you in jail for not paying advocates fee.
The most important thing you need to keep in mind is not to accept anywhere in any of the messages that you owe the said amount and you are liable to pay any due amount.
In the given circumstances when you were not informed about any fees you are not bound to make any payment.
As far as the question of threats being made by lawyer are concerned, you can raise complaint against the said lawyer to bar council.
it is better option to first inform the advocate about the exact situation or circumstances under which you felt there were no charges and tell him that you would be bound to raise complaint against him before bar council if he continues to harass you.
Thanks and regards
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Adv. Anirudh Pandit
Adv. Anirudh Pandit
Delhi | 5+ Answers
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Based on the facts stated, mere non-disclosure of consultation fees may primarily give rise to a civil or consumer dispute. However, repeated calls and messages threatening arrest, imprisonment, or other consequences to coerce payment may amount to criminal intimidation and harassment, depending on the exact contents and circumstances. Preserve all WhatsApp chats, call logs, and screenshots as evidence. You may file a police complaint and, if necessary, also lodge a complaint before the State Bar Council for professional misconduct if the advocate’s conduct is found to be unethical.
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Adv. Priya Chauhan
Adv. Priya Chauhan
Delhi | 5+ Answers
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these statements do not disclose any offence against the advocate. he is only trying to recover the consultation fee payable by you at the time of seeking consultation. it is very obvious that when you go and see professional consultation from an advocate you are expected to pay his fee which you also noticed from the keyboard that was put up by the advocate write in front of you. my advice is to pay the consultation fee to the concerned advocate
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Adv. Kunal Seth
Adv. Kunal Seth
Delhi | 700+ Answers
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They should have asked the fee before the consultation, if they didn't asked, it is their mistake. If they are intidimating you for paying the fee you can file a complaint under section 351(2) Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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Adv. Pawan Pal
Adv. Pawan Pal
Delhi | 5+ Answers
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