A 26-year-old policewoman posted at a police station in Gorakhpur has allegedly become a victim of cyber harassment after an obscene photograph and her mobile number were circulated on Facebook.
After the photograph and number were allegedly made public, she began receiving repeated obscene calls from different mobile numbers. The callers allegedly made objectionable remarks and also sent obscene messages and photographs through WhatsApp.
Obscene Calls Began While She Was on Duty
The policewoman, originally from Ballia, told investigators that she was performing official duties at the police station on August 17 when repeated calls from unknown numbers began coming to her phone.
Soon afterward, obscene messages and objectionable photographs also started arriving through WhatsApp.
Initially, she ignored the calls and messages, but as their frequency increased, she suspected that someone was deliberately targeting her.
Distressed by the continuous harassment, she eventually switched off her mobile phone.
How Did She Discover the Fake Facebook Profile?
When the policewoman firmly questioned one of the callers, she allegedly learned that a fake Facebook profile had been created using her name and photograph.
The profile allegedly carried an obscene photograph along with her mobile number and encouraged people to engage in obscene conversations with her.
Following the circulation of the profile, a large number of unknown individuals allegedly began calling and messaging her.
The continued harassment reportedly caused her considerable mental distress.
FIR Registered After Written Complaint
The policewoman subsequently submitted a written complaint to the police.
An FIR was registered on September 3 under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The investigation has been assigned to a sub-inspector, and police have begun examining the digital evidence connected with the alleged harassment.
What Are Police Examining in the Fake Profile?
Investigators are scrutinising the fake Facebook profile, its details, associated URL and other digital information linked to its operation.
Police are attempting to determine who created and operated the fake account and identify the device and internet connection allegedly used to access it.
Another important part of the investigation is establishing how the policewoman’s photograph and mobile number reached the person or persons behind the profile.
Calls, Messages and Digital Trail Under Scanner
Police are examining communication records, WhatsApp messages, phone numbers and other available digital evidence connected with the people who contacted the policewoman.
Investigators hope these records will help identify the person operating the fake profile and establish how the harassment unfolded.
The digital trail could also help determine whether the account was created by a single individual or whether others were involved in circulating the content.
Possible Family Dispute Angle Being Examined
According to police sources, several people were questioned on Monday as part of the investigation.
Investigators are also examining a possible family dispute connected with a land-related disagreement. Some of the policewoman’s relatives have reportedly come under suspicion.
However, police have not confirmed the involvement of any individual and are examining all possible angles before reaching a conclusion.
Why Preserving Digital Evidence Is Important
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that misuse of a woman’s photograph and contact details by circulating them with obscene material can amount to serious cyber harassment.
In such cases, victims should preserve screenshots, profile links, phone numbers, messages and other relevant evidence before deleting or blocking the content.
Such digital evidence can be crucial in tracing the accused and supporting the investigation.
Police said efforts are underway to identify the person behind the fake profile and establish the motive for the alleged harassment.
Once the suspect is identified, action will be taken under the applicable law. The investigation remains focused on tracing the digital trail and determining who created and circulated the fake profile.
