Responding to an anonymous tip from a concerned neighbor, Pune police arrested a 33-year-old woman and her 38-year-old boyfriend on Wednesday for allegedly producing and distributing pornographic content involving the woman’s 12-year-old daughter at their residence in the Hadapsar area.
The police investigation revealed that the suspects had been creating explicit content for approximately seven months, generating an estimated revenue of Rs. 12 lakhs through various online platforms. Digital forensics experts have identified 47 distinct video files and 156 photographs stored across multiple devices, including smartphones and external hard drives seized from the residence.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Pawar, the suspects employed three different social media platforms to monetize the illegal content, establishing a network of 1,243 subscribers who paid monthly fees ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000. The police have successfully traced 72% of these transactions through digital payment records and cryptocurrency exchanges.
The victim has been placed under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), where she’s receiving psychological counseling and trauma support. Medical examinations conducted at Sassoon General Hospital have confirmed the absence of physical injuries, though mental health professionals have documented significant psychological distress requiring long-term therapeutic intervention.
The accused face charges under sections 376 (rape), 354 (molestation), and 509 (outraging modesty) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology Act. If convicted, they could face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life, along with substantial financial penalties.
The Cyber Crime Cell has initiated proceedings to remove all traced content from the internet, successfully taking down 89% of the identified material within 48 hours of detection. Additionally, they’ve established connections with international law enforcement agencies to track and prosecute subscribers from 13 different countries who accessed the illegal content.
The incident has prompted local authorities to implement enhanced monitoring systems in residential areas, with 127 police officers receiving specialized training in identifying and preventing child exploitation.
The Pune Police Commissioner’s office has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to investigate similar cases, allocating Rs. 2.5 crores for technological infrastructure and training programs over the next fiscal year.
