The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested Surendra Nayak of Dhenkanal town whose house the agency’s officials had raided on Tuesday.
Nayak was arrested on the charge of allegedly circulating, storing and viewing Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) through various social media platforms and groups for monetary gains.
Later, he was forwarded to the Special CBI Court in the city. Officials of the central agency had carried out marathon interrogation of Nayak at his house over his alleged involvement in child pornography.
Tension ran high during the incident as residents of the locality reportedly gheraoed and heckled the CBI officers. Later, local police rushed to the spot and rescued the CBI officials.
Speaking to mediapersons, Nayak said he had joined a group named Desi MMS two months ago and used to share video links in various social media groups. In return, he had received $21(approximately Rs 2,000).
“The CBI officials asked me about the number of members in the group and took away my mobile phone,” Nayak said. In a nationwide coordinated crackdown on crime related to online child sexual abuse material, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered 23 separate cases on November 14 against 83 accused on the allegations related to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
It was alleged that various syndicates or individuals based in different parts of India and foreign countries were indulging in circulating, storing and viewing Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) through various social media platforms and groups.