The Kochi City police have invoked provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the two college students who were arrested in connection with the alleged morphing and circulation of photographs of teachers of a college in Ernakulam.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, District Police Chief (Kochi City) S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said the charges were added after investigators detected child pornographic content on the mobile phones of the accused. Sanesh, 20, a native of Korattiyad in Alappuzha and a BCom student at IHRD College, Mavelikkara, was arrested on Monday after being summoned for questioning by the special investigation team. Earlier, Sreehari V.S., a second-year BBA student of the Ernakulam college, had been arrested in the same case. Both were members of a Telegram group through which morphed images were allegedly circulated.

In addition to regular Telegram groups, the police found a paid premium group linked to the case, leading to Sanesh’s arrest. The police did not rule out the involvement of more individuals in the case.

On bus employees

Mr. Mahesh Kumar also urged private bus operators to conduct thorough background checks on employees in the wake of the recent arrest of a bus worker on multiple charges. He asked operators to stop the unhealthy practice of hiring workers on a daily basis without verification and said that police clearance for private bus employees could be introduced as a safeguard.