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NEW DELHI: Investigation conducted by German police in a case of child pornography seems to have blown the lid off a global paedophilia racket comprising citizens of several countries, including India, with the CBI registering an FIR against seven Indian men from different states who were allegedly part of this racket.

The CBI’s investigation prior to registration of the FIR found that the seven men were residents of Nirankari Colony in Delhi, Selaipur and Ibrahim Sahib in Chennai, Amar Nagar in Faridabad , Pasonda in Sahibabad, Bhattacharya Para lane in Howrah and Chomu district in Rajasthan .

“The accused were involved in transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit acts via electronic form which amounts to a cognisable offence under Section 67 of the Information technology Act. Hence an FIR was registered and legal action is being taken,” a CBI official said.

The action followed the investigation by the criminal police district office in Lubeck against a German national named Sasche Treppke who was arrested and sentenced to five years imprisonment for his involvement in sexual abuse of children as well as distribution of child pornography.

Based on a communication from the German embassy on January 31, the CBI conducted a preliminary enquiry and filed an FIR in late September, sources said.

During the probe, Lubeck police searched the residence of the accused and found several data carriers containing pictures and videos pertaining to child sexual abuse . It was found that the accused was using a WhatsApp account from mobile number 049-15203966*** and was a member of 29 WhatsApp groups where material containing child abuse was being shared.

“There were 483 members in the WhatsApp groups from different countries. Out of this, seven active members were found to be Indians. Some of the Indian mobile numbers were part of more than three WhatsApp groups,” said an official.



In Video: 7 Indians booked with links to international child pornography ring