Damoh Police Book YouTubers Under POCSO for Revealing Minor Victim's Identity on Social Media

Damoh, Bureau Report: In a stringent move against the violation of privacy laws, the police in the Pathariya area of Damoh district have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against two local YouTubers. The accused, identified as Pushpendra Lodhi and another unnamed content creator, are facing severe legal charges for publicly disclosing the identity and highly sensitive personal details of a minor rape survivor during a live social media broadcast. The swift police action underscores a zero-tolerance policy toward the exploitation and exposure of vulnerable minors on digital platforms.

Sensitive Details Broadcasted Online

The legal proceedings were initiated after local authorities were alerted to the harmful online content. Key details regarding the police action include:

• The FIR was officially lodged following a formal, detailed complaint submitted by Damoh-based social worker Nitya Pyasi to the Damoh Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Kotwali Town Inspector (TI).
• The accused have been booked under the strict provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act.
• Investigations reveal that the YouTubers utilized live video streaming to broadcast not only the victim's name but also highly sensitive medical information, including details about her pregnancy and childbirth, directly violating the legal mandate that protects the anonymity of minor victims.

Official Statements and Ongoing Manhunt

Pathariya Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Priya Sindhi provided further context to the media, stating that a rape case involving the minor victim was originally registered in the Pathariya police station area approximately two months ago. During a recent live online discussion regarding this two-month-old case, the YouTubers unlawfully disclosed the victim's identity.

Following the registration of the FIR, local law enforcement agencies initiated a formal manhunt. Specialized police teams have been deployed to track down and arrest the absconding content creators. Police officials have strongly reiterated that concealing the identity of a rape survivor is legally mandatory, and strict legal steps will continue to be taken against anyone who violates these fundamental privacy laws.