Manipur Police Arrest 13 Individuals for Monetising Sexual Content on Telegram

Operation Dignity, launched last month after a whistleblower tipped off the state police, culminated in a raid on a Bishnupur residence on June 26. At the scene, 13 suspects, three of them under 21, were taken into custody. Police seized 14 mobile phones and a laptop that allegedly carried the Telegram archives.

Investigators flagged the presence of child sexual abuse material, prompting the arrest of a minor whose identity remains confidential. Among the seized items, the devices contained thousands of images and videos depicting women without consent, many of which were uploaded to public Telegram channels.

The operation underscores the growing threat of digital exploitation in the Northeast. One of the victims, a 24‑year‑old mother from Imphal West, said her dignity was irreparably damaged. While the police have not yet disclosed the monetary value of the illicit trade, they are tracing financial flows linked to the accounts that advertised the content.

A preliminary court hearing has been scheduled for July 15 in Imphal, where the accused will face charges under the Information Technology Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Meanwhile, the police are combing through the recovered data to identify further victims and map the wider network.