Massive crackdown on online child sexual abuse and exploitation, CBI carries out raid in 76 locations
The CBI initial investigation showed there are 5000 offenders who were part of 50 groups. Suspects were actively watching, contributing, and disseminating CSAM.
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New Delhi, November 16: In a massive crackdown on online child sexual abuse and exploitation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out raids in fourteen states and union territories. Searches are taking place at 76 locations simultaneously. The federal probe agency has registered 23 separate cases on 14th November against 83 accused on allegations that there are involved directly or indirectly to Child Sexual Abuse Material online. The cases have been registered under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Information Technology Act.
The CBI initial investigation showed there are 5000 offenders who were part of 50 groups. Suspects were actively watching, contributing, and disseminating CSAM. Foreign nationals of 100 countries were part of these social media groups which includes people from Pakistan, Canada, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, USA, Azerbaijan, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Yemen, etc.
"Searches are being carried out at Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh," said the CBI. A CBI which was carrying out raids in Dhenkanal in Odisha was attacked by a suspect's family members and neighbors. In past, the suspects have been found selling CSAM on popular social media applications and making online payments.
Last November, the CBI had arrested a suspended junior engineer for sexually exploiting 50 minor boys for over a decade. The accused had targeted children living in the central Uttar Pradesh districts of Chitrakoot, Banda, and Hamirpur. He was also accused of being part of a group that sexually abused minors, record the abuse, and sold it online. The CBI has formed a Special Unit called Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Investigation (OCSAE). This unit is part of special crimes and is based out of headquarters.
OCASE investigates cases of online child sexual abuse and exploitation. The CBI's OCASE gets information from embassies and overseas federal probe agencies about organized rackets which are active in online child sexual abuse and exploitation.