TGCSB arrests repeat offenders in state-wide operation; links to trafficking uncovered.

Telangana Police arrested 15 individuals, including an IIT graduate, on 18 Jun 2025 for the possession and circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSEAM). The operation followed 57 cyber tip-offs, resulting in 34 FIRs across multiple districts, with cases registered under the IT Act and POCSO laws.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB), acting on inputs from the Cyber Tip line and in collaboration with NCMEC, ICMEC, and I4C, carried out a coordinated state-wide crackdown. Offenders were arrested from Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Jagtial, Jagadgirigutta, and Yadagirigutta.

The arrested individuals, aged between 19 and 50, largely belonged to working or middle-class backgrounds. Shockingly, an IIT graduate from Nizamabad, employed at a reputed company, was among those caught.

Investigators revealed that the content was being downloaded, stored, and sometimes shared via encrypted platforms. Many of the accused were repeat offenders, tracked using digital forensic evidence and shared intelligence.

Further investigation uncovered human trafficking links, with tribal women from remote Telangana mandals like Kerameri and Tiryani being targeted and sold to brothels. One victim managed to escape from Madhya Pradesh and returned home last month.

In a related case, Asifabad police arrested six people, including a police constable, while three more remain absconding. Constable Haridas, one of the accused, had prior involvement in similar crimes.

Quote from Official:

“This is a warning that online child abuse will not go unpunished. We are using every resource to trace and prosecute offenders,” said a senior TGCSB official.

Advice:

This case highlights the alarming rise in online child exploitation and trafficking, even involving educated individuals and repeat offenders. TGCSB’s CPU unit, launched in February 2025, has already registered 294 FIRs and made 110 arrests, a sharp increase from prior years.

Public Safety Tips:

• Report suspicious online content or activity involving children on cybercrime.gov.in (Women & Child tab) or dial helpline 1930
• Do not download or forward any explicit or suspicious content — it’s illegal
• Educate children and parents about online safety, digital boundaries, and privacy settings
• Enable parental controls and monitor app permissions regularly