Child pornography, exploitation in Punjab: 2 arrested, 33 suspects identified in operation across 18 districts
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Chandigarh: The cybercrime division of Punjab Police has arrested two individuals and identified 33 suspects involved in viewing, transmitting, and distributing child pornography and expoitive content of minors, said a top official on Friday.
Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the content, which is described as child sexual exploitative and abusive material (CSEAM), was being distributed through online platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram.
The operation, codenamed CSEAM-4, was conducted on Thursday and spanned 40 locations across 18 districts. The action came after complaints to Union ministry of home affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), the DGP said.
The Supreme Court, in a judgement, clarified that viewing, possessing, and not reporting CSEAM content is punishable under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act. CSEAM refers to any content depicting or exploiting minors in a sexual manner, including photos, videos, or media, which is illegal to produce, distribute, or possess, causing long-lasting harm to victims and considered a severe form of child exploitation due to the lasting impact it had on victims.
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Those arrested have been identified as Akash Babu, a resident of Rajasthani Colony in Khanna, and Harpreet Singh, a resident of Burmajra village in Morinda, Ropar.
The DGP said the state cyber crime cell analysed digital evidence to track offenders. He said during the operation, 33 suspects were identified across Punjab, with teams from field units dispatched under the guidance of additional director general of police (cybercrime) V Neeraja.
The raids led to the registration of two FIRs and the seizure of 34 mobile phones, which were sent for forensic analysis to recover deleted data, with more FIRs and arrests anticipated, the DGP said.
ADGP V Neeraja said Babu was not only viewing CSEAM content. but also sharing it in other groups. "Harpreet Singh was allegedly blackmailing a victim to share nude pictures and had been sexually abusing minors," he said. The mobile device was seized for examination of deleted data, she said, adding that an investigation in both cases was under way.
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