Bhavnagar news: In a significant breakthrough under an ongoing campaign to strengthen online safety for women and children, the Bhavnagar Cyber Crime Police have arrested a man from Haryana for allegedly creating and circulating morphed obscene images and videos of a minor girl on social media. The accused was traced to Gurugram after a technical investigation and has been booked under multiple legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The case highlights the growing risks associated with online friendships and the misuse of personal images through digital platforms.
Online Friendship Began While Playing Free Fire
According to information released by the Cyber Crime Police, the victim, who is a minor, came into contact with the accused while playing the popular online game Free Fire. The two reportedly developed an online friendship, which later extended to video calls.
Investigators said the accused allegedly gained the girl’s trust over time and used video calls to obtain photographs and videos of both the minor and one of her acquaintances. Police believe these images were later digitally altered to create explicit content without their consent.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the victim in accordance with laws protecting the privacy of minors.
Morphed Content Allegedly Shared Across Social Media Platforms
Police said the accused allegedly edited the collected images and videos to create morphed nude content. The manipulated material was then reportedly uploaded to multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, with the intention of harassing and defaming the victim.
Cyber investigators treated the complaint as a serious offence due to the involvement of a minor and the alleged misuse of digital technology to create and distribute obscene content.
Following the complaint, a criminal case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act, and the POCSO Act. These laws provide strict punishment for crimes involving child exploitation, online harassment, identity misuse, and the publication of sexually explicit material.
Also read: Mumbai Police Arrest Man With Nearly 15,000 Allegedly Poison-Filled Capsules at Muharram Procession
Technical Surveillance Led Police to Gurugram
After registering the case, the Bhavnagar Cyber Crime Police launched a technical investigation using digital surveillance and cyber forensic methods to identify the suspect’s location.
The investigation eventually led officers to Gurugram, Haryana, where they apprehended the accused, identified as Raja alias Ujjwal Manojbhai Kapildev Vishwakarma, a resident of Sector 39.
The accused has been taken into custody and further legal proceedings are underway. Investigators are also examining digital devices and online accounts that may be linked to the alleged offence to determine whether similar incidents have occurred in the past.
Operation Focuses on Women’s Online Safety
Police said the arrest was made as part of “Operation Cyber Surakshit Nari,” an initiative aimed at improving the safety of women and girls in cyberspace. The campaign focuses on identifying cyber offenders, responding quickly to complaints, and spreading awareness about online threats such as cyberstalking, fake profiles, identity theft, and image-based abuse.
Officials have urged parents to remain aware of their children’s online activities and encourage them to report suspicious behaviour immediately. They also stressed the importance of educating young internet users about privacy settings, avoiding the sharing of personal photos with strangers, and being cautious when interacting with unknown people through gaming platforms or social media.
Police Warn Against Misusing Social Media
Following the arrest, the Cyber Crime Police issued a public advisory reminding citizens that creating fake social media accounts, sending obscene messages, digitally altering someone else’s photographs, or sharing manipulated images without consent are serious criminal offences.
The department also appealed to the public not to circulate inflammatory, offensive, or misleading content related to religion, caste, or any other sensitive issue on social media. Officials warned that anyone found involved in such illegal online activities could face strict legal action under applicable laws.
Authorities further encouraged victims of cyber harassment or online abuse to approach the nearest cyber police station without delay. Timely reporting, they said, helps investigators preserve digital evidence and improves the chances of identifying and arresting offenders.
The latest action by the Bhavnagar Cyber Crime Police serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are increasingly using advanced digital investigation techniques to track cybercriminals, even when they operate from different states. It also reinforces the message that online crimes involving minors and the misuse of personal images are treated with utmost seriousness under Indian law.