The Central Bureau of Investigation has lodged a case against seven Indian nationals in connection with an international paedophile racket operating through WhatsApp. The case was forwarded to the CBI by the Federal Police of Germany which had arrested a paedophile in connection to their case.

According to the CBI’s FIR, the police in Germany had arrested a paedophile Sasche Treppkae. After trial, he was sentenced to five-year imprisonment by the German judiciary.

"During the investigation of the matter, German police conducted a search at the residence of the accused and found several data carriers containing pictures and videos pertaining to child sexual abuse materials. It was also revealed that the accused was using a WhatsApp account and was a member of 29 WhatsApp group where material containing child sexual abuse was being shared," reads the FIR.

These 29 WhatsApp groups had 483 members out of which seven members were from India. The FIR has been lodged against Vinoth Kanna, Zuhaib Ali, Khozema H, Rakesh Kumar, Abhishesk Kumar Tripathi, Joydeep Roy and Rahees.

The CBI registered the FIR against these accused after conducting the preliminary inquiry which concluded that the allegations are genuine. The CBI is expected to arrest the accused soon.