Kolkata HC orders fresh report on WB police’s handling of pornography cases and cybercrime investigations

The Kolkata High Court has instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal to submit a fresh report on the state’s handling of investigations related to pornography, following concerns over the adequacy of a previous submission. The court had earlier issued directions regarding the implementation of guidelines for cybercrime units dealing with pornography cases. The DGP is now required to provide a detailed report, addressing how officers are trained to handle such cases and the specific steps taken to tackle the increasing prevalence of pornography on digital platforms.

In the earlier report, the DGP outlined the training provided to officers in charge of cybercrime police stations across the state, aimed at strengthening their capabilities in investigating and preventing cybercrimes, including pornography-related offenses. The court, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the report’s lack of detail on the effectiveness of these measures. The DGP has been asked to clarify the scope of the training programs, including the specific methods used, the duration of training, and how these measures are being applied in ongoing investigations.

The court has also raised concerns about the investigation of a specific case from Nadia’s Murutiya police station, involving the alleged sharing of intimate videos on social media. The investigation, carried out by the Krishnanagar Cyber Police Station, was found to be flawed, and the court has requested detailed information about the steps taken by the investigating officers. Additionally, the court has called for a report on the number of pornography-related cases currently under investigation across the state. The DGP has been given one week to provide the revised report, which should include comprehensive details on both the specific case and the broader issue of pornography-related cybercrimes in West Bengal.