9 booked in Bhopal for watching child pornography videos:MP state cyber headquarters traces culprits through inputs received from Delhi; probe underway

In a first-of-its-kind action in Bhopal, the police have registered nine FIRs against various mobile phone users accused of watching and forwarding pornographic videos involving minors, the MP state cyber headquarters reported on Thursday. The cases were filed at nine different police stations of the city after receiving crucial inputs from the State Cyber Police, who were alerted by authorities in Delhi. As per officials, the FIRs were registered at Piplani, Mangalwara, Ayodhya Nagar, Bilkhiriya and several other police stations of the state capital. According to officials, the State Cyber Police has provided a list of individuals across Bhopal allegedly involved in viewing and storing child pornography on their mobile phones. Based on a report submitted by the Bhopal Crime Branch, action was initiated against the identified users. Accused charged under IT, POCSO Acts Additional Director General of Police (ADG, MP state cyber headquarters), A Sai Manohar, told Bhaskar English that the police have booked the accused under the Information Technology (IT) Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which carry severe punishments including life imprisonment. Notices have been issued to the mobile users, who have been called for questioning. The Bilkhiriya police of rural Bhopal said they had received a Crime Branch report naming one mobile user accused of watching and forwarding child pornographic content. An FIR has been registered against an unidentified accused under relevant sections of the IT and POCSO Acts. Psychologists warn of dire behavioural impact Commenting on the psychological impact of pornography, Dr Rahul Sharma, a clinical psychologist at JP Hospital, said that excessive pornography consumption can “kill one’s conscience.” He added that such individuals often develop aggressive behaviour towards women, losing their ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Dr Sharma further noted that those who frequently consume child pornography are at greater risk of developing deviant sexual thoughts towards minors.