Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 7: Maharashtra Cyber has arrested a 49-year-old man in Mumbai for allegedly possessing more than 20,000 images and videos containing Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM), in a major crackdown on online child exploitation.
The accused has been identified as Saifuddin Zamir Uddin Malik, a resident of Malad (West). He was arrested from Malad following an investigation based on digital intelligence inputs, according to a press release issued by the office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber.
The operation followed continuous monitoring of online activities by three specialised units of Maharashtra Cyber -- CCPWC, OCWC and TRACE. During surveillance, the cyber teams received intelligence about an individual allegedly downloading and storing CSEAM.
Using technical analysis and cyber intelligence tools, investigators traced the suspected activity to Malik and established his identity.
Subsequently, FIR No. 88/2026 was registered at the nodal cyber police station of Maharashtra Cyber under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and Section 67(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
During the investigation, police allegedly recovered more than 20,000 objectionable images and videos from the accused's mobile device.
A detailed forensic examination is now underway to establish the origin of the material, determine how it was downloaded and ascertain whether it was further shared or circulated through any online platform.
Maharashtra Cyber reiterated that downloading, possessing, storing, sharing or circulating CSEAM constitutes a serious criminal offence. It also urged citizens to report any suspicious activities involving child exploitation.
Such incidents can be reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www\.cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the cybercrime helpline 1930.
According to Maharashtra Cyber, it has so far acted on 5.67 lakh cyber tipline reports and 31,000 complaints relating to online child exploitation.