The Special Court (POCSO), Kohima, sentenced a 34-year-old man to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined him INR 55,000 in a CSAM-related cybercrime case.
DIMAPUR — The Special Court (POCSO), Kohima, has convicted a 34-year-old man in a cybercrime case involving Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), sentencing him to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and fines totalling INR 55,000.
Special Judge (POCSO), Kohima, Mezivolu T Therieh, convicted Tova Sema of Chekiye village, Chümoukedima district, under Section 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Section 15(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
According to a press release issued by Additional Public Prosecutor, Kohima, Abraham, the judgment was delivered on September 15, while the sentence was pronounced on September 21.
The court sentenced Sema to two years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of INR 50,000 under Section 67B of the IT Act, with an additional three months’ simple imprisonment in default of payment.
Under Section 15(1) of the POCSO Act, he was fined INR 5,000, with one month’s simple imprisonment in default.
The case originated from information received through Stockholm Interpol and subsequently communicated to Indian authorities through the CBI/Interpol channel regarding suspected CSAM and associated activity on Wickr.me.
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Investigation by the Cyber Crime Police Station, PHQ, Kohima, resulted in the seizure and forensic examination of electronic devices.
The examination revealed 1,212 images, nine videos and associated chats involving 18 Wickr.me groups, including material depicting minor children in sexually explicit and exploitative situations.
The prosecution examined six witnesses and relied on documentary, electronic and forensic evidence. The court held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
While determining the sentence, the court considered the aggravating and mitigating circumstances presented by both sides and noted the seriousness of the offence, the nature and quantity of the material, and the uploading, sharing and transmission activity.
The investigation was conducted by Inspector Ncumbemo Ngullie of the Cyber Crime Police Station, PHQ, Kohima. The state was represented by Addl. PP Abraham.
The prosecution said the case is among the early cases of its kind in Nagaland involving international cybercrime information, digital forensic investigation and prosecution relating to CSAM. It also highlighted the role of inter-agency cooperation, international information-sharing, digital forensics and effective prosecution in addressing technology-enabled crimes against children.
The Office of the Public Prosecutor, Kohima, appreciated the efforts of the Cyber Crime Police Station, investigating officers, forensic and technical personnel, prosecuting agency and other stakeholders involved in the case.