🌐 Punjab Police’s Major Cyber Sweep: Combating Online Child Exploitation

 

In-depth Look at Operation CSEAM‑4

Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division executed a powerful crackdown—Operation CSEAM‑4—on June 26, 2025, targeting the all-too-prevalent issue of Child Sexual Exploitative and Abusive Material (CSEAM). This major sweep covered 40 locations across 18 districts and three commissionerates, leading to two arrests and identification of 33 suspects actively viewing, sharing, and distributing child pornographic content.

🚨 Who Was Arrested?

• Akash Babu from Khanna: Arrested under FIR No. 8 (Section 67B of the IT Act) for sharing illegal content with WhatsApp groups.

• Harpreet Singh from Rupnagar: Booked under FIR No. 7 (Section 67 of the IT Act) for blackmailing a minor for nude photos and related abuses.

Devices—34 mobile phones—were confiscated and forwarded for forensic scrutiny. Punjab Police expect further arrests and FIRs based on deeper analysis of recovered data.

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🧠 Legal and Ethical Implications

• Thanks to a Supreme Court ruling, viewing such illicit material is travel punishable: under Section 67B (IT Act) and Section 15 (POCSO Act), offenders face up to 5 years in jail and ₹10 lakh in fines.

• The use of cyber-tiplines from India’s I4C underscores coordinated vigilance across platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook—highlighting that no online corner is off-limits.

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🔍 Why It Matters

1. A Shift in Policing Strategy
   Punjab’s Cyber Crime Cell spans all 28 districts, reinforcing their digital investigative capabilities and ensuring real-time tracking of offenders.

2. Setting Legal Precedents
   The clear consequences for simply viewing CSEAM material exemplify a tougher stance, which hopefully deters casual consumers and supports deeper awareness.

3. Protecting Real Victims
   Arresting users isn't just symbolic—it’s a step toward protecting minors from lifelong trauma and reinforcing that every download hurts someone.

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📝 Blog Outline Suggestions

1. Engaging Lead:
   "Punjab Police just pulled off a sweeping cyber operation across 18 districts—targeting child porn rings where even viewers are being held accountable."

2. Clarify the Law:
   Offer an easily digestible breakdown of Section 67B (IT Act) and Section 15 (POCSO), and how the Supreme Court ruling underpins harsh punishment for passive viewers.

3. Detail the Investigation:
   Walk through the “how” — from tip-offs by I4C to device raids and the forensic process. Personalize via the accused’s background and tactics.

4. Broader Context:
   Contrast Operation CSEAM-4 with previous waves of arrests in 2024–25. Show the escalating scale of investigations across India.

5. Critical Perspective:
   Reflect on gaps—what about encrypted platforms? What happens to the victims whose images are circulating? Push for tech-industry accountability.

6. Call to Action:
   Encourage readers to report any suspicious content via official hotlines like Aarambh India or the I4C, and to share resources on digital safety.

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📌 Suggested Headlines

• “Punjab Police Strike Back Against Online Child Porn: 2 Arrested, 33 Suspects Identified”

• “Viewing Child Abuse Material Is a Crime Too: Punjab’s Cyber Sweep Explained”

• “How Operation CSEAM‑4 Shows Every Click Can Be Criminal”

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✅ Closing Thought

While Punjab’s Operation CSEAM‑4 is an encouraging step in the battle against online child exploitation, legal tech and social awareness must go hand in hand. Awareness campaigns, secure reporting mechanisms, and updated laws must continue evolving—because the online world shouldn’t be a haven for predators.

reff:- timesofindia.indiatimes

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