Three held for obscene QR code scanner near Ganesh idol in Washim
Police in Washim arrested three college students for planting a QR code scanner that played obscene videos near a Ganesh idol.
Someone planted an obscene scanner beneath the Ganesh idol at Jai Bhavani Ganesh Mandal in Washim city, hurting religious sentiments. Police have arrested three college students in the case.
Complainant Ram Arjun Kalbande, a resident of Kale Faile in Washim district, lodged a complaint at Washim City police station that around 11 pm on Thursday night, unidentified persons had stuck a QR code scanner onto the base of the Ganesh idol at Jai Bhavani Ganesh Mandal. The scanner, planted with intent to provoke religious sentiments, played obscene videos. Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Washim City police station against unidentified accused under the IT Act.
Superintendent of Police Nikesh Khatmode-Patil directed officers and staff of the Local Crime Branch and Washim City police station to trace the unidentified accused and solve the case. Four teams immediately scanned CCTV cameras at the scene and surrounding areas, which showed suspects. Informants helped identify their names and addresses: Tanmay Shankar Muthal (19, resident of Chivra, Malegaon taluka, Washim district), Yugandhar Mohan Afune (18, resident of Ambikanagar, Lakhala, Washim taluka and district) and Sumit Kailas Bhone (18, resident of Savargaon Jire, Washim taluka and district).
Staff of the Local Crime Branch and Washim City police station immediately detained the three accused from different locations and questioned them, during which they confessed to the crime. They were then formally arrested. Police Inspector Sanjay Chaudhary is further investigating the case. The action was led by Police Inspector Sudhakar Adhe (Local Crime Branch, Washim district) and Police Inspector Sanjay Chaudhary (Washim City police station), along with Sub-Inspectors Jitendra Adole and Sita Waghmare, and Assistant Police Inspectors Nilesh Jadhav, Sachin Gokhale and Shekhar Maskar.
Besides the Ganesh idol at the city's Maruti Jai Bhavani Ganesh Mandal, a QR code scanner showing obscene videos was also found installed at a Hanuman temple. Washim police have arrested the three youths in connection with the case.
Washim Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ramakrishna Pawar said the three youths had created a Telegram group in which obscene videos were uploaded and linked to the scanners. According to police, the accused intended to install these scanners at crowded places to get as many people as possible to scan the QR code, earning them 15 to 20 rupees per view of the video.
