Police records across Uttar Pradesh have highlighted the serious risks children face from online sexual exploitation and abuse. Of the 24 children rescued in 22 cybercrime cases, 18 were girls, while 10 of the rescued children were aged 10 or younger.
The cases were reported across districts including Bulandshahr, Azamgarh, Rampur, Bijnor, Kanpur Nagar and Lucknow. The youngest victims included a 2-year-old boy from Lucknow and a 2-year-old girl from Bijnor.
According to the Cyber Crime Police, offenders allegedly concealed their identities or exploited family, neighbourhood and social connections to target children. In some cases, they reportedly created objectionable photographs and videos involving minors and used the material to blackmail them into unlawful activities. Such content was also allegedly shared or sold online.
Multiple cases reported across districts
Bulandshahr recorded several cases involving minor girls, with FIRs registered at Kotwali City, Araniya, Sikandrabad and Jahangirabad police stations between December 2025 and September 2026.
Bijnor reported multiple cases, including the rescue of a 2-year-old girl within Sherkot police station limits in July 2026. Other cases involved a 12-year-old boy in Kotwali City and a 15-year-old girl in Mandawar.
In Azamgarh, 2 girls aged 15 and 16 were rescued in a case registered at Gambhirpur police station in June 2026. Another case at Jiyanpur police station involved a 17-year-old girl. Kanpur Nagar recorded the rescue of a 16-year-old girl in July 2026, while Lucknow’s Gosainganj police station registered a case involving a 2-year-old boy in October 2025.
Other districts included Rampur, Pilibhit, Kanshiram Nagar, Ghazipur, Ambedkar Nagar, Baghpat, Etah, Basti, Maharajganj and Mau. The records also covered children aged 6, 7, 9 and 10, alongside teenagers.
How authorities handle complaints
A senior officer at the Uttar Pradesh Cyber Crime Headquarters said complaints involving the online exploitation and harassment of women and children reach authorities through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Under an MoU between the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and NCMEC, reports flagged by platforms such as Meta, Google, Microsoft, Snapchat and TikTok are sent to I4C’s Online Cybercrime against Women and Children (OCWC) unit and then shared with states.
Victims can also report offences directly through the NCRP while keeping their identities confidential. Uttar Pradesh’s Cyber Crime Headquarters reviews complaints and forwards them to the relevant districts or police commissionerates. If verification establishes a cognisable offence, an FIR is registered and an investigation begins. Suspects may be arrested and charge sheets filed based on digital and other evidence, with steps taken to protect victims.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.