Varanasi: A cyber investigation has been launched in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi after information received through the U.S.-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) allegedly linked a local youth to the possession and online dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Acting on the intelligence, police have registered a case under Section 67B of the Information Technology Act and initiated efforts to trace and apprehend the suspect.
According to investigators, the alert was routed through the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which receives cyber tips from international agencies involving online child exploitation. During the subsequent technical investigation, police identified the suspected source of the illegal uploads as a resident of Sonarpura village in the Baragaon police station area of Varanasi.
The suspect has been identified as Shivkumar Singh, also known as “Billa.” Investigators stated that the preliminary inquiry indicated that the accused allegedly uploaded and circulated child sexual abuse material through multiple online platforms and applications. Authorities are now examining digital evidence to establish the full extent of the alleged activities.
Police said the NCMEC report contained the suspect’s alleged Instagram account details, mobile number, two email addresses and multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses associated with the online activity. The report also estimated the suspect’s age to be around 19 years. Investigators are verifying these details through forensic analysis and digital records.
During the investigation, authorities reportedly identified eight files suspected to contain child sexual abuse material, including videos and images depicting minors. Officials said the digital evidence suggested that the content had allegedly been uploaded and shared through the suspect’s online accounts. Technical analysis also indicated that several IP addresses associated with the activity originated from the Varanasi region, with login records spanning multiple dates and devices.
Investigators are conducting forensic examinations of digital evidence, including internet logs, device identifiers and communication records, to establish the origin and distribution of the alleged material. Police are also working to determine whether the suspect acted independently or was connected to a wider online network involved in the circulation of CSAM.
Cybercrime experts note that international cooperation between agencies such as NCMEC and Indian law enforcement has significantly strengthened the detection of online child exploitation cases. Digital forensic tools, IP tracking, device analysis and cross-border intelligence sharing have become critical in identifying suspects involved in such offences.
A Researcher at Algoritha Security said that child sexual abuse material investigations rely heavily on digital evidence preservation, metadata analysis and international cyber cooperation. The researcher added that timely identification of online accounts, IP addresses and connected devices plays a crucial role in locating suspects and preventing further circulation of illegal content.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and that additional legal provisions under child protection laws and other applicable criminal statutes may be invoked based on the evidence collected. Authorities have also urged the public to immediately report any suspected child sexual abuse material encountered online to law enforcement agencies so that prompt action can be taken to protect children and preserve digital evidence.
