Amidst the urban sprawl of Bengaluru, three youths, among them a duo of juveniles, found themselves ensnared by the law for the alleged dissemination of digitally manipulated imagery depicting a juvenile female on various online platforms.
The individuals in question recently procured visual content from the online profile of a minor female, thereafter subjecting it to lewd digital alterations before disseminating it through a fictitious online persona they had concocted. Following a formal complaint filed with the Cyber Crime Station of Bengaluru’s North East Division, law enforcement acted swiftly, leading to the apprehension of the trio. Seizing upon the allegations, authorities also confiscated the mobile devices belonging to the suspects.
As detailed by law enforcement officials, the genesis of this legal ordeal traces back to a grievance registered by the parents of the aggrieved female, prompting an investigation by the cyber crime unit and subsequent apprehension of the three perpetrators.
The accused individuals share a social bond, with one pursuing tertiary education while the remaining pair are enrolled in scholastic pursuits. Similarly, the victim, a fellow minor, also hails from Bengaluru, underscoring the localized nature of the incident.
In light of the severity of their actions, the trio faces legal ramifications under the purview of the Information Technology (IT) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. Notably, the juvenile offenders have been remanded to the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Board.
Addressing the broader implications of the case, a spokesperson from the Cyber Crime Police underscored the importance of vigilance among guardians regarding their wards’ digital activities. Emphasizing the need for proactive engagement, he urged parents to promote outdoor pursuits and temper their children’s screen time, thus mitigating the risks of online exploitation.
