The Delhi Police have significantly intensified their crackdown on online child sexual abuse and child pornography, registering 60 FIRs in 2025 based on 1,197 actionable leads received through international monitoring agencies. The cases were initiated following inputs shared by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a United States–based organisation that tracks online sexual exploitation of minors across the world.
According to official data, these inputs were processed by the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC)of the Delhi Police and subsequently forwarded to district-level police units for investigation, resulting in the registration of criminal cases under stringent legal provisions.
Police records indicate that between January 1 and December 19, 2025, NCMEC shared 1,197 Delhi-specific alertsrelating to objectionable online content involving minors. These alerts pertained to the uploading, sharing, storage, and circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on various digital platforms.
Over 10,000 Inputs Received Nationwide in 2025
During the same period, SPUWAC received a total of 10,151 inputs from NCMEC concerning suspected child pornography cases across India. Delhi-linked inputs were identified and prioritised due to jurisdictional relevance and the urgency associated with preserving digital evidence.
Senior police officials said these alerts typically originate from social media platforms, messaging applications, cloud storage services, and online forums, where automated systems flag content suspected to involve sexual exploitation of minors. The information is then shared with NCMEC, which coordinates with Indian law enforcement agencies for follow-up action.
Each alert undergoes an initial assessment by SPUWAC before being routed to the appropriate district police units for further investigation.
Technical Verification and District-Level Investigations
Once forwarded, district police teams conduct detailed technical verification, including analysis of IP addresses, mobile numbers, user accounts, digital footprints, and seized electronic devices. Cyber forensic tools are used to trace the origin, storage location, and dissemination chain of the content.
A senior Delhi Police officer said investigations into online child sexual abuse are both technically complex and highly sensitive, requiring specialised handling.
“Tracing offenders in cyberspace is challenging, but the protection of children and preservation of evidence remain paramount. These cases are handled with utmost care to ensure that victims are not re-traumatised,” the officer said.
Strict Legal Provisions Invoked
The FIRs registered invoke stringent provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Under Indian law, the creation, possession, transmission, viewing or storage of sexually explicit material involving minors constitutes a serious criminal offence, attracting long-term imprisonment and heavy fines.
Police officials noted that accused persons often claim that the content was downloaded or stored unintentionally. However, such claims do not automatically absolve liability, and intent is determined through forensic analysis and corroborative digital evidence.
Role of International Cooperation
Delhi Police officials underlined the importance of international cooperation in combating cyber-enabled crimes against children. Inputs from organisations like NCMEC enable timely intervention, particularly in cases where digital evidence can be quickly deleted or encrypted.
With increasing internet access and smartphone penetration, authorities acknowledge that the scale and anonymity of online platforms have heightened the risk of child exploitation, making proactive monitoring and swift enforcement essential.
Appeal to Parents and Society
SPUWAC has urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant about children’s online activities, encourage open communication on digital safety, and immediately report any suspicious content or behaviour.
Police officials emphasised that community awareness and cooperation are critical to preventing online exploitation and ensuring early detection.
Conclusion
The registration of 60 FIRs in a single year reflects a decisive shift from passive monitoring to active enforcement, signalling that online child sexual abuse is being treated as a grave criminal offence rather than a routine cyber violation. Delhi Police have reiterated their commitment to sustained action against digital crimes targeting minors, warning that offenders will face uncompromising legal consequences.
