I believe the part you are asking about means: Verma did not make a threat, but a private joke in a group chat, so he's not liable for the police reaction. If h

I believe the part you are asking about means: Verma did not make a threat, but a private joke in a group chat, so he's not liable for the police reaction. If his friend is the one who informed the police, while knowing it was a joke, the friend should be charged instead.