Case Booked Against Social Media Handlers for Revealing POCSO Victim’s Identity

Hyderabad: Petbasheerabad police registered a case against several social media handlers for allegedly circulating photographs, videos and other identifying details of a minor girl and her parents in connection with a Pocso case, officials said on Friday.

According to police, the case was booked based on a complaint lodged by the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Medchal-Malkajgiri district. The complaint alleged that sensitive and identifying information related to the victim in FIR No. 684/2026, registered under the Pocso Act, was being widely shared on social media platforms.

Following the complaint, police registered FIR under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, Section 72(1) of the BNS and Section 23 of the Pocso Act for unlawful disclosure of the victim’s identity. Police said Instagram and Facebook account IDs, along with relevant URLs allegedly involved in spreading the content, have been identified and forwarded to the authorities for tracing the handlers. Legal action is being initiated against those found responsible for publishing the victim’s photographs, videos and personal details online.

Issuing a public appeal, police warned that revealing the identity or personal information of a child victim and their family in POCSO-related cases is a serious legal offence and causes severe emotional distress to the victim. Officials cautioned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating these provisions.