Kerala cops bust child porn racket on Whatsapp, arrest 10

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For spreading child pornography in the cyber world, the state police arrested 10 persons and detained a minor in raids conducted in 21 places across the state and 20 cases have been registered. As part of its operation P-Hunt, the police carried out the raids based on surveillance conducted on those who were involved in spreading child pornography on social media and internet.

Two people each from Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam, three from Kannur and one each from Palakkad and Malappuram were arrested by the state police. In the raids, the police have seized mobile phones, laptops, modems, hard disks, memory cards and computers.

The police said the people, who were part of Whatsapp groups where child pornography is viewed, shared and distributed, were under surveillance.

The raids were conducted under the direct supervision of additional director general of police and state nodal officer, cyberdome Manoj Abraham and assisted by Starmon R Pillai, inspector, Hi Tech crime inquiry cell. The district police chiefs and technical experts were also part of the raids.

The state police is observing 2019 as the year of cyber security and continuing with its policy on zero tolerance towards child pornography and crimes against children.

For this, a counter child sexual exploitation (CCSE) unit has been constituted with special emphasis on preventing online child exploitation and child pornography on the internet. The team works in close contact with Interpol’s Crimes against Children Unit and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

In its first operation in April, 21 cases were registered and 14 people were arrested. In P-HUNT-2 conducted in June, 12 people were arrested and 16 cases were registered.

According to Abraham, “It was found during inquiries that a host of child pornographic groups were operating on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and particularly Telegram which had a strong encryption and offers greater anonymity. Also, many persons from the state were viewing and distributing such material on the internet.”

“As part of this operation, we were able to identify many such groups and also 126 individuals, who were engaged in the large-scale distribution of child porn . Then, we decided to conduct a well-planned operation throughout the state,” he said.

“We joined hands with Telegram and tracked many groups. Several groups were closely monitored. Strong action will be taken against all the individuals involved in this racket, continuing our policy of zero tolerance in these matters,’’ Abraham added.

The viewing, distributing or storing of any child pornographic content is a criminal offense and can result in up to 5 years of imprisonment and up to Rs 10 lakh fine.