Srinagar: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a resident of Srinagar involved in child-pornography in an on-going investigation of a case, the criminal investigation agency said in a communique.
CBI had registered a case U/s. 67 B of IT Act and Sec. 14 of POCSO Act, 2012 against an accused, resident of Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) on the allegations of running an online child sexual abuse racket from India, targeting minors living in the USA, said the statement
The statement said of CBI said, “It was further alleged that the accused uploaded pornographic videos and images over the dark web for financial gains and also involved in direct communication with many minors in the USA. His wife is living in Washington, USA,”
“The accused was allegedly operating through his wife, who had agreed to be involved in a Master-Slave relationship with the accused and at his direction, she allegedly exploited multiple minors, recorded these abuses, and electronically sent the same to him.
It was also alleged that when the victims refused to follow his dictate, he shared these videos and images with their family members.” CBI statement added.
Further adding that searches were conducted at the premises of accused at Srinagar which led to the recovery of incriminating digital evidence including three laptops, five mobiles, pen drives, handwritten notes, etc.
The arrested accused is being produced before the Competent Court at Srinagar.
CBI regularly coordinates with international law enforcement agencies to detect and investigate sexual abuse of minors, especially over cyberspace and also reaffirms its commitment towards promoting cooperation with US Law Enforcement Agencies in combating child sexual abuse in cyber space.
Consistent and conscious efforts are being made to identify and detain criminals involved in sexual exploitation of minors.
Earlier in October, cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone Srinagar had claimed to have received number of reports from National Center For Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a US-based private non-profit organization, against the individuals residing in Kashmir valley who have published, transmitted, circulated child pornography on social media platform.
The NCMEC receives tip-offs through citizens, service providers and uses software to track child pornography content uploading/sharing online that is then shared with law enforcement agencies in the form of ‘Tipline Reports’, an official press statement by the police stated.
On receipt of the reports case FIR No. 21/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered in Cyber Police Station Kashmir and investigation set into motion.
“During the course of investigation it came to fore that a good number of paedophiles from Kashmir Valley are involved in either transmission or uploading of child pornography contents on social media platform,” added the statement. “Arrests of these paedophiles are expected in coming days. General Public is advised to restrain from such activities, anyone found involved in such activities will be dealt strictly under law. Pertinent to mention here that uploading/sharing of child pornography on social media platforms is prohibited/banned by law of the land.”
