The Special Task Force has uncovered an illicit racket involving the sale and distribution of child sexual abuse material on the dark web. Acting on an FIR registered in Haldwani, the police apprehended a teenager residing in Nainital. Investigators seized a mobile phone and a laptop belonging to the minor, recovering more than 100 objectionable videos. STF officials revealed that while artificial intelligence was used to alter some clips, the teenager was personally seen with children in several other recordings, all created to meet specific demands originating from the dark web.
Operations Driven by Dark Web Demands
During interrogation, the apprehended juvenile revealed his active involvement in dark web forums. He noted that buyers placed specific orders requesting abusive videos of children. To fulfill these demands, he filmed children in his immediate surroundings and uploaded the footage directly to dark web platforms. In return for supplying this illicit material, he received substantial payments, indicating a calculated and financially driven operation.
Extensive Digital Evidence and Retrieval
Inspector General of STF Dr Nilesh Anand Bharne briefed reporters on the operation at the STF headquarters on Thursday. He stated that more than 100 videos involving child abuse were found stored on the seized laptop and mobile phone. Cyber forensic teams also managed to retrieve several previously deleted digital files from the devices, all of which were confirmed to be child sexual abuse material.
Broader Network Under Investigation
According to IG Bharne, authorities have registered over 150 FIRs this year relating to child pornography, including abusive photographs and videos, following tip-off complaints. Five of these cases were registered in Haldwani. During investigations into these complaints by the STF and cyber police, evidence emerged indicating the Nainital teenager’s involvement in the network, leading to his apprehension on Wednesday. Officials suspect that several local associates may also be linked to the trade, and the STF has been directed to thoroughly examine every aspect of the case.
