Hyderabad Police SHE Teams Crack Down on Digital Harassment Cases
The Hyderabad city police's SHE Teams announced on Sunday that they have successfully cracked 121 cases of midnight harassment targeting women, where the accused individuals utilized internet calls to maintain their anonymity. This significant breakthrough highlights the growing challenge of digital crimes against women in urban areas.
Details of the Cracked Cases
According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar, the SHE Teams resolved 121 cases specifically involving midnight harassment through internet calls. Additionally, they addressed 82 cases related to the creation of fake profiles and the circulation of obscene content on popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp. Commissioner Sajjanar revealed that at least 50 women reported experiencing severe mental distress due to repeated abusive calls from untraceable numbers. These numbers were later identified through advanced forensic analysis techniques employed by the police.
He made a heartfelt appeal to victims, urging them not to suffer in silence. Instead, he encouraged them to seek the assistance of the SHE Teams to address their problems effectively and ensure their safety.
Digital Blackmail Emerges as a Major Concern
SHE Teams officials provided insights into the nature of these digital harassment cases, noting that digital blackmail has emerged as the most common complaint. A staggering 366 victims sought assistance for such issues over the past year. The officials added that most of the accused were either previous partners or individuals who were acquainted with the victims, exploiting personal connections for malicious purposes.
Commissioner Sajjanar elaborated on the modus operandi, stating, "Offenders typically befriended women on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, gained their trust, and later misused recorded video calls or private photographs to extort money or sexual favours." He further explained that in several instances, former partners used old images to threaten victims, often in attempts to disrupt their future marriages or personal lives, causing immense psychological trauma.
Comprehensive Efforts and Victim Experiences
In the past year, SHE Team investigators received a total of 1,149 complaints covering various types of harassment, including digital harassment. During this period, the teams managed to apprehend 3,826 individuals involved in these crimes, showcasing their dedicated efforts to combat such offenses.
Officials shared the harrowing experiences of some victims whose tormentors were caught after they bravely approached the police. One 22-year-old woman recounted how she was terrified by a man following a break-up, highlighting the emotional toll of such harassment. In another case, a woman faced alleged harassment after rejecting a man's proposal at her workplace. She described her ordeal, saying, "What began as unwanted attention soon escalated into a daily nightmare of stalking and death threats. My workplace, which used to be my safe space, felt like a trap because I was being shadowed every single day."
When these victims approached the SHE Teams, the accused were successfully caught, allowing the women to regain their safety and confidence. This underscores the importance of reporting such incidents and the effectiveness of specialized police units in addressing digital harassment.
