Massive Crackdown On Child Pornographers In Kerala, 41 Nabbed

Child pornography is one of the worst prevailing evils in the world. Unfortunately, India is also among the countries where this practice has spread its roots. The state of Kerala – one of the most educated – is facing this problem and there seems to be no end to it.

The state police conducted a statewide crackdown and have arrested 41 people who were involved in it.

According to Manoj Abraham, Director General of Kerala Police, 339 cases have been registered against the accused which include IT professionals as well. 

As many as 596 locations were raided and 392 computers and other suspected devices were seized from the spot.

“Our statistics show there has been a sharp increase in child pornography cases during the pandemic. Lockdown has increased digital surfing and this also spiked use of pornography, especially involving children,” he Mr Abraham. Many users often think that use of the dark net will go unnoticed but they are mistaken, he reminded.

All these centres were interlinked and were helping each other in this criminal activity. There has been a rapid increase in the number of child pornographic cases since the lockdown has started.

“Many obscene pictures, videos inside household, flats etc have been uploaded in recent times, which clearly show that most of the pictures have been taken from Kerala,” said Mr Abraham.

Lockdown is said to have increased screen time thus exposing children to online surfing. These cases seem like mental illness and never ending addiction, which requires serious medical treatment.

The Kerala Police has incorporated a special wing – Counter Child Sexual Exploitation Unit in last January. They have also said that they have zero tolerance towards such crimes and child security is the responsibility of every member of the society.

Most of the accused have been found to be using various kinds of encrypted handles for uploading, downloading and circulating such illegal material on the internet. 

Most of the material belonged to children aged between 6 and 15 years of age. Official code named this operation ‘P HUNT 20.2’.

After the arrest it was also found out that the accused used to format their smart phones every 3 days to avoid detection. 

Use of malwares to activate the webcams and to steal information was also done. Many of the accused were married and had children themselves too. 

Watching, sharing or encouraging child pornographic content is a crime in India and any such offence can bring a 5-year jail term and a maximum fine of Rs 10 lakh.