In a significant crackdown on online predators, the Telangana police registered a staggering 869 cases related to online child sex abuse in 2025. This marks a dramatic increase from just 37 cases filed between 2023 and 2024, showcasing the impact of a specialized unit formed to combat this heinous crime.
Specialized Unit Drives Enforcement Surge
The turning point came in January last year with the inauguration of a dedicated child protection unit at the TG Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB). The unit was launched by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during the SHIELD event. Its establishment streamlined the process of tracking the generation and circulation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSEAM), leading to a leap in arrests from 37 in 2024 to 423 in 2025.
An investigating officer from the Bureau explained that the unit helped pinpoint where content was created and how it spread. "We found that most of the CSEAM content was traded on Telegram and other social media platforms. Apart from that, accused also used inactive websites to upload content," the officer stated. The data was revealed during the ongoing "Fraud Ka Full Stop" awareness campaign, with The Times of India as the official media partner.
International Leads and AI-Powered Investigations
Authorities disclosed that a majority of their actionable intelligence comes from international collaborations. "We get tip-offs from agencies in the US who share the details of the person sharing the content on different platforms. If the person is from Telangana, based on the leads we get, we use technical details to catch the accused," an officer said. It was found that 70% of the child pornography circulated in Telangana originated from foreign countries, with the rest sourced from other Indian states.
To combat this, the TGCSB employs advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like the 'Red Panda bot' application. TGCSB director Shikha Goel told TOI that these tools assist in identifying CSEAM content, tracing its source, and finding those recirculating it. This tech-driven approach aided in rescuing a minor girl a few months ago and led to one of 2025's biggest crackdowns in June 2025, where 15 people, including a student from IIT-Kharagpur, were nabbed.
Legal Ramifications and Recent Arrests
Emphasizing the serious legal consequences, officials cited a Supreme Court judgment from September 2024 and Indian laws. "Viewing, sharing, uploading to net, recording videos, taking photos, selling child sexual exploitative and abuse material is a punishable offence under Section 67-B IT Act and Sec 15 of the POCSO Act," Goel stated. Conviction can lead to five years in jail, extending to seven for repeat offenders.
Recent enforcement actions underscore the ongoing efforts. Early this week, Rachakonda police arrested two residents of Manchal and Saroornagar for buying and circulating abusive content within their social circles. Similarly, two more persons were arrested in Khammam. The cyber security bureau's current campaign is also discussing frauds related to matrimonial sites, cyber stalking, cyber bullying, and dating apps.
