Context
Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cracks down against child sex abuse material, raids 56 locations across country as part of Operation ‘Megha Chakra’.
Key-Highlights of the Megh Chakra Operation
- Launched by: CBI
- The operation is targeted at cloud storage facilities used by the peddlers to circulate audio-visuals of illicit sexual activities with minors, thus earning the code ‘Megha Chakra’.
- It has been alleged that a large number of Indian nationals were involved in the online circulation, downloading and transmission of the CSAM using cloud-based storage.
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Cloud storage is a cloud computing model that stores data on the Internet through a cloud computing provider who manages and operates data storage as a service.
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- The operation is sought to collate information from various law enforcement agencies in India, engage with the relevant law enforcement agencies globally and coordinate closely through the Interpol channels on the issue.
- The probe had led to the identification of over 50 groups with more than 5,000 offenders, including the nationals of about 100 countries.
- A similar exercise code named “Operation Carbon” was conducted by CBI in November 2021.
Laws for Pornography in India
- After the Supreme Court’s order, the Department of Telecommunication banned several websites containing child pornographic material.
- As per the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2002, it is punishable to show children any pornographic content.
Government Related Initiatives
- Child Abuse Prevention and Investigation Unit
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
- Juvenile Justice Act/Care and Protection Act, 2000
- Child Marriage Prohibition Act (2006)
- Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 2016
