Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
In a major crackdown on online child exploitation, Punjab Police’s Cybercrime Division has arrested two individuals and identified 33 suspects involved in viewing, transmitting and distributing of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abusive Material (CSEAM) using various online platforms, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.
The operation, codenamed CSEAM-4, conducted on Thursday, spanned 40 locations across 18 districts and three Commissionerates following actionable cyber tip-lines from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Notably, Hon’ble Supreme Court in a judgement had 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 has on victims.
Those arrested have been identified as Akash Babu, a resident of Rajasthani Colony in Khanna and Harpreet Singh, a resident of village Burmajra in Morinda, Rupnagar.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the State Cyber Crime Cell meticulously analysed digital evidence from platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram to track offenders.
He said that during operation, 33 suspects were identified across Punjab, with teams from field units dispatched under the guidance of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Cybercrime V Neeraja. The raids lead to the registration of two First Information Reports (FIRs) and the seizure of 34 mobile phones, which have been sent for forensic analysis to recover deleted data, with more arrests anticipated, he said.
The DGP said that based on the examination, more FIRs will be registered and suspects involved in CSEAM crimes will be arrested.
ADGP V Neeraja said that the cyber tiplines are generated on the basis of online activity on CSEAM particularly on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Telegram. The reports from I4C are meticulously analysed by the CCPWC unit of State Cybercrime office under Inspector Prabhjot Kaur to identify the offenders and their locations, she said.
Sharing details about the two FIRs, the ADGP said that in FIR no 8 dated 26/6/2025 registered under section 67B of the IT Act at Police Station Cybercrime in district Khanna, the accused Akash Babu was not only viewing CSEAM content but was also sharing the content in other groups.
In another case FIR No 07 dated 26/6/2025 registered under section 67 IT Act at Police Station Cybercrime in district Rupnagar, accused Harpreet Singh was allegedly blackmailing a victim to share nude pictures and has been sexually abusing minor children. The mobile device was seized for examination of deleted data, she said, while adding that investigation in both cases are in progress.
ADGP V Neeraja said that under section 67 B of the IT Act, 2000 and section 15 of the POCSO Act viewing, distributing, or storing child pornographic material is a serious criminal offence, punishable with up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Police has Cyber Crime Police Stations in all 28 districts and Commissionerates, which are equipped with Cyber investigation & Technical support units (CI & TSUs) to investigate Cybercrimes. For further assistance or to report CSEAM, people can contact the State Cyber Crime Division or local District Cyber Crime Police Station.