Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, Jun 4: Maharashtra Cyber Police have arrested an 18-year-old youth for allegedly circulating child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) through social media platforms and selling it to acquaintances for money.
The accused, identified as Adiraj Bait, is an HSC dropout residing in the Belapur area of Navi Mumbai with his elder brother.
According to police, the investigation began after authorities received information about a user on the messaging platform Telegram allegedly involved in trafficking child sexual abuse material through digital channels.
Cyber police conducted a detailed digital investigation and gathered technical evidence, including scrutiny of a UPI account allegedly linked to the suspect. Based on the findings, officials traced the accused and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
A cyber crime team subsequently detained Bait for questioning and seized his mobile phone for forensic examination.
Police said forensic analysis of the device allegedly revealed multiple videos containing child sexual exploitation material. Investigators further alleged that the accused had stored the content with the intention of selling and distributing it through online platforms.
An officer associated with the investigation said the evidence indicated that the material was being circulated for financial gain.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, Maharashtra Cyber Police registered a Zero FIR and transferred the case to the NRI Police Station for further investigation.
The accused, along with the FIR and seized mobile phone, was handed over to the Navi Mumbai police for legal proceedings.
Bait was produced before a court on Thursday and remanded to police custody until Jun 8 as investigators continue their probe into the alleged distribution network and possible links to other individuals involved in the offence.
Authorities said efforts are underway to determine the source of the material and identify any additional suspects connected to the case.