The rising crimes of child molestation, rape and sexual assault on little children by predators of all ages has left us stunned. The incidents have rocked the entire world where people have preyed on children to satiate their disgusting fancies.
However, in a fortunate turn of events, the CBI has claimed to have busted an international child abuse pornography racket operating on a WhatsApp group and arrested its alleged administrators. The main accused is an unemployed youth from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
Nikhil Verma, son of a worker in a jewellery shop, who is pursuing his graduation in commerce and is currently unemployed has been operating the WhatsApp group named KidsXXX. However, he’s not alone as four others are also admins of the group as reported by Hindustan Times.
During the investigation, it was revealed that there are 119 members of the group who were getting disturbing pictures and videos. The group contains global members including the countries US, China, New Zealand, Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka among others as reported by Indian Express.
The CBI recovered mobile phones, laptops, and hard discs and other digital devices from the accused. Verma was booked along with four others accomplices Nafees Reza and Zahid of Delhi, Satyendra Om Prakash Chauhan of Mumbai and Adarsh of Noida. The CBI toiled for about three months to get this information without using any WhatsApp surveillance to track down the accused.
The CBI officials travelled to the locations according to IP addresses that showed the downloading and uploading of child pornography. They acted accordingly and managed to gather incriminating evidence before cracking down on the accused.
The officials said accessing, producing, recording, uploading or circulating child abuse videos or pictures are serious offences under Information Technology Act and attract a punishment up to seven years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
As per latest developments, the CBI is carrying out investigations to locate other members and the group present in India and abroad.