New Delhi: Highlighting the disturbing trend of exploiting the anonymity and reach of social media platforms to perpetrate sexual crimes against minors, the Delhi High Court refused to grant anticipatory bail to a man accused of coercing the minor victim into engaging in sexually explicit acts over video calls, recording the same without her consent, and using these recordings to blackmail her repeatedly.
Justice Amit Mahajan, while rejecting the anticipatory bail plea of the accused, said that the allegations against the accused points towards the exploitation of a child by coercing and blackmailing her for pornographic purposes and the alleged recording and sharing of explicit material involving the minor victim is a grave offence.
Such acts not only violate personal dignity and privacy of victim but also constitute serious offences: High Court
“The applicant is accused of coercing the victim into engaging in sexually explicit acts over video calls, recording the same without her consent, and using these recordings to blackmail her repeatedly. Such acts not only violate the personal dignity and privacy of the victim but also constitute serious offences under the BNS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) and the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act,” the High Court said.
Present case underscores increasing misuse of social media and technology to exploit, intimidate vulnerable individuals: HC
“The actions of the applicant exemplify 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,” the High Court added.
The High Court further said that the present case before it underscores the increasing misuse of social media and technology to exploit and intimidate vulnerable individuals, particularly minors and granting pre-arrest bail to the accused would set an inappropriate precedent and undermine the societal interest in safeguarding children from such reprehensible acts.
Matter requires thorough investigation which ought not to be curtailed by passing an order granting pre-arrest bail: High Court
The High Court also noted that the case involves electronic gadgets and electronic evidence and 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 High Court said and added, “The material presented by the prosecution establishes a prima facie involvement of the applicant. Granting pre-arrest bail to the applicant would undoubtedly impede further investigation.”
