Mumbai: Police have arrested a man allegedly involved in the sale and circulation of child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) through the messaging platform Telegram while operating from Maharashtra.
Arrest and Investigation
According to an official statement issued by the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra State Cyber Department, the action was initiated after the agency received intelligence inputs about a suspected Telegram-based seller involved in circulating exploitative content online.
The official said the department carried out technical verification, field investigation, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis to trace the suspect. During the probe, investigators analysed a UPI ID linked to the alleged activities and tracked the accused's whereabouts.
Suspect Identified and Apprehended
The suspect, identified as Adiraj Rajendra Bait, was subsequently brought in for questioning. Officials said his mobile phone was seized for forensic examination, during which investigators allegedly found child sexual exploitative material stored on the device for the purpose of sale and further circulation.
Legal Action Taken
Following the findings, Maharashtra Cyber registered a criminal offence and transferred custody of the accused, along with the FIR and seized mobile phone, to the NRI Police Station in Navi Mumbai.
- Technical verification and OSINT analysis were used to identify the suspect.
- A UPI ID linked to the alleged activities was crucial in tracking the accused.
- Forensic examination of the seized phone revealed exploitative content.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution of child sexual abuse material online.
