Disturbing Trend Of Exploiting Social Media Platforms To Commit Sexual Crimes Against Minors: Delhi High Court

While denying anticipatory bail to a man in a POCSO case, the Delhi High Court has taken note of the “disturbing trend” of exploiting the anonymity and reach of social media platforms to perpetrate sexual crimes against minors.“This Court cannot ignore the broader societal implications of such acts and the urgent need to send a strong message against the misuse of technology,” Justice Amit Mahajan said. The Court said that the case in hand underscored the increasing misuse of social media and technology to exploit and intimidate vulnerable individuals, particularly minors.The FIR was registered for the offences under Sections 354(D) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012. The 15 year old minor victim had alleged that she was subjected to severe harassment, blackmail, and sexual exploitation by the accused. It was alleged that the accused coerced the victim into engaging in sexually explicit acts over video calls on social media, recording the same without her consent and using the recordings to blackmail her repeatedly. Denying relief to the accused, the Court observed that the alleged acts not only violate the personal dignity and privacy of the victim but also constitute serious offences under the BNS and the POCSO Act.“The allegations against the applicant points towards the exploitation of a child by coercing and blackmailing her for pornographic purposes. The alleged recording and sharing of explicit material involving the minor victim is a grave offence,” it said. The Court further said that there was material on record implicating the accused in the allegations which the police was investigating and that the allegations against him were grave and serious in nature, involving the exploitation and sexual abuse of a minor girl. “Considering that the present case involves electronic gadgets and electronic evidence, the task of the Investigating Agency seems arduous and they need to be given a fair play in the joints to investigate the matter in the manner they deem appropriate. The matter requires thorough investigation which ought not to be curtailed by passing an order granting pre-arrest bail,” the Court said. Title: SAIFUL KHAN v. STATE & ANR.Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 1318Click here to read order

Disturbing Trend Of Exploiting Social Media Platforms To Commit Sexual Crimes Against Minors: Delhi High Court

Nupur Thapliyal

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