The Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight people, including one woman, in connection with separate cases involving alleged online harassment, cyberstalking and identity theft targeting women. The arrests were carried out under Mission Cyber Rakshika, an initiative focused on addressing online offences against women.
The action followed complaints from several women who reported harassment involving fake social media profiles, objectionable media messages, identity theft and cyberbullying. Police formed specialised teams that traced suspects across districts in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
11 Cases Registered After Complaints From Women
Female police officers conducted counselling sessions with the complainants, following which 11 separate FIRs were registered. Police maintained the confidentiality of the victims’ identities during the process.
Investigators then conducted technical analysis of the complaints to identify and trace those allegedly responsible. According to the information available, the accused targeted women who maintained public profiles on social media platforms.
The operation was conducted under Mission Cyber Rakshika and its campaign hashtag #SecureHerSpace. The initiative has involved specialised police teams examining complaints of online harassment and identifying individuals allegedly operating fake accounts or otherwise misusing social media platforms to target women.
Fake Profiles Allegedly Used for Months to Target Women
Investigators said one of the accused, identified as Suresh Puri, allegedly created 10 fake IDs over a period of six months and used them to target nearly 300 women. He allegedly sent photographs, objectionable audio files and explicit messages to women through these accounts.
Another accused, Keyur Lakkar, allegedly created eight fake profiles while impersonating women. Police said these accounts were used to contact female friends of people whose social media profiles were publicly accessible.
The cases illustrate different methods allegedly used to conceal identities and approach women online, including impersonation and the creation of multiple social media accounts.
Police Flag Misuse of AI-Generated Deepfakes
The Cyber Crime Branch said previous operations conducted under the same mission had resulted in arrests in Rajasthan and Delhi. Those cases allegedly involved people impersonating online gurus and using artificial intelligence to create deepfake nude photographs for extortion.
Alongside criminal proceedings, police have also taken steps to remove offensive posts and accounts from social media platforms.
Police reiterated that women can approach authorities with complaints about online harassment while maintaining strict anonymity. The Cyber Crime Branch said the initiative is intended to provide a safer avenue for women to report cyberstalking, impersonation, cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse.
