Maharashtra Cyber arrests 49-year-old in Malad with over 20,000 child abuse images, videos on phone

Maharashtra Cyber has arrested a 49-year-old man from the Malad West area of Mumbai. According to Maharashtra Cyber, more than 20,000 photos and videos linked to the sexual abuse of children were found on his mobile phone. The accused has been named as Saifuddin Jamiruddin Malik.

The case came to light during Maharashtra Cyber's drive to monitor online platforms. The agency keeps a constant watch on various internet platforms. During this, the investigating agency received information about the accused in connection with suspicious digital material. An inquiry based on technical evidence and the information received then led to the identification of Saifuddin Malik.

Police took action in Malad West and detained him. He was arrested after the remaining legal process was completed. Maharashtra Cyber has said that an initial examination of the phone found more than 20,000 photos and videos linked to child sexual abuse. A detailed investigation is now under way into the actual nature of the material, where it came from and what role the accused played.

Police are seeking answers to several questions. Where exactly did the accused download the photos and videos from? Did he only keep the material, or did he also send it to others? Was it spread on any online platform? A forensic examination of the photos and videos on the seized phone is also continuing.

A case has been registered at Maharashtra Cyber's nodal police station under FIR No. 88/2026. The accused has been booked under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 67(B) of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

Maharashtra Cyber is also examining whether anyone else besides the accused is involved, whether he shared such material with others, and whether a larger network is operating behind it. Digital evidence and forensic reports are likely to bring out more information in the case.

Keeping, spreading or exchanging such digital material linked to child sexual abuse is a serious legal offence. For this reason, Maharashtra Cyber is keeping a closer watch on online platforms for such material.