Digital Technology Altering Face Of Crime; Circulation Of Indecent Images On Social Media Can Destroy Lives: Allahabad HC

Refusing to grant bail to a man accused of circulating indecent photographs of a woman via WhatsApp, the Allahabad High Court recently observed that when such images are shared on public platforms, they have the potential to "destroy lives". "Digital technology is altering the face of crime. Indecent pictures of a person when circulated on public platforms by social media can destroy lives. This is the hard social reality", a bench of Justice Ajay Bhanot remarked. The accused, booked under Sections 74, 352, 351(2), 64(1) BNS and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, was arrested in January this year on the allegations of circulating the victim's private images on WhatsApp. He had moved the HC after his bail plea was rejected by the trial court in April 2025. Taking into account the allegations against him, the bench noted that some images had been recovered from him and are pending forensic examination; there was a likelihood of his involvement in the crime. Thus, the court refused to grant him bail as it highlighted the growing menace of digital crimes and their catastrophic social impact. The bench, however, directed the District Judge to take weekly reports of the progress of the trial in the case. Furthermore, the concerned Deputy Director, Forensic Science Laboratory, was also directed to ensure that the FSL report is produced before the trial court within two months. Though the bench dismissed the bail plea, it emphasised the need for an expeditious trial and directed the trial court to preferably conclude the proceedings within one year. In related news, the same bench had in 2023 observed that the circulation of indecent videos on social media is a major menace which is degrading our society. The Bench had also stressed that in such cases, the police authorities must ensure the highest proficiency while conducting probes. Importantly, the court had also opined that the quality of investigations of UP Police in such matters is “very weak”.Similarly, in May last year, too, the same bench had raised a grave concern over the escalating issue of storing and circulating indecent videos of women, deeming it a serious menace to society.The court had said that the poor quality of investigations into IT-related offences and cyber offences was becoming a "major fault line” in the functioning of investigations. Case title - Ramdev vs. State of U.P. Case citation: Click here to read/download the order

Digital Technology Altering Face Of Crime; Circulation Of Indecent Images On Social Media Can Destroy Lives: Allahabad HC

Sparsh Upadhyay

Tags