Maharashtra Cyber Police have apprehended an 18-year-old individual for allegedly distributing child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) via social media to his acquaintances in exchange for money. Authorities confiscated the suspect’s mobile device, uncovering multiple videos related to the offenses. The investigation has since been transferred to the NRI police station located in Navi Mumbai for further inquiry.

The individual in custody has been identified as Adiraj Bait, who dropped out of his Higher Secondary Certificate studies and resides with his older brother in the Belapur region.

The cyber crime unit launched an investigation after being alerted about a user on the Telegram messaging platform suspected of trafficking CSEAM through online channels. Following a thorough digital examination, they collected technical evidence, including a scrutinized UPI ID that was allegedly associated with the suspect. Bait was located, prompting the filing of a case against him under pertinent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

A cyber team subsequently detained Bait for interrogation and secured his mobile phone for forensic analysis. The digital forensic investigation indicated that he had purportedly stored child sexual exploitation materials on his device with the intent to sell and disseminate the content further, as reported by a police officer from the cyber department.

Given the serious nature of the crime and the evidence collected during the inquiry, Maharashtra Cyber Police registered a Zero FIR. The accused, along with the FIR and the confiscated mobile phone, was transferred to the NRI Police Station in Navi Mumbai for ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings. On Thursday, Bait was presented in court and has been remanded into police custody until June 8.