A man from Navi Mumbai has been arrested for his involvement in a Telegram-based scheme related to the sale and distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM). Adiraj Rajendra Bait, the accused, was apprehended and handed over to the NRI Police Station in Navi Mumbai following intelligence inputs and technical investigations that implicated him in the illicit activity. CSEAM includes visual content depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit behavior, such as photos, videos, livestreams, or AI-generated imagery.
MahaCyber investigators, upon detecting objectionable content circulating on digital platforms, pinpointed the location in Maharashtra using technical tools. Subsequently, a thorough technical analysis was conducted, involving scrutiny of a UPI ID and open-source intelligence inputs, before summoning Bait for interrogation. A forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone during the investigation revealed the presence of exploitative material involving children, stored for sale and further dissemination.
Based on these findings, MahaCyber initiated a criminal case against the individual and transferred him to the Navi Mumbai Police for further action. The Maharashtra State Cyber Department, under the office of the Additional Director General of Police, established in 2016, serves as the central authority for cyber-related issues in the state. The department’s proactive measures encompass monitoring the digital landscape, including the dark net and online platforms, to combat cybercrimes, particularly those related to CSEAM.
MahaCyber adopts a comprehensive strategy to tackle the escalating cyber threats, focusing on detection, prevention, and prosecution of cybercrimes, while also promoting cybersecurity awareness among the populace. Emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance on possession, sale, or distribution of child sexual exploitation material, the department warned of stringent repercussions for individuals engaged in such activities across various digital mediums.
