Dozens of teenage boys were picked up by the Hyderabad Police for watching porn in internet cafes. The police launched a drive in the city against such cafes where youngsters watch porn on the sly following parents' complaints. The cafe owner was also arrested.
The police said that the drive against internet cafes was initiated after parents complained that children were visiting internet cafes to watch obscene videos on the pretext of completing school and college work.
The police raided at least 92 internet cafes in 17 police station limits of South Zone and took 47 minor boys aged between 12 to 16 years in custody on Tuesday.
The deputy commissioner of police (South Zone) V Satyanarayana, after arresting the boys, displayed them to the media during a news conference. Revealing a minor's identity is not legal. The police also said that the minors were counselled in custody of their parents.
Allegations against internet cafes include not maintaining registers of those who visit the cafe, non-installation of CCTV cameras and allowing minors to watch pornography and "objectionable videos and pictures".
As many as 37 cases were registered against internet cafe owners. The charges include Section 292 IPC (sale of grossly indecent or obscene matter), Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and also Hyderabad City Police Act.
"We are still verifying the role of a few other cyber-cafe owners who were allowing the minors to watch porn," the DCP told the media.
The drive against the internet cafes was conducted to curb cyber offences and to discourage minors from watching pornography, objectionable videos and other content, Satyanarayana added.
Watching porn was banned in India in 2015, but the law was overturned. While watching porn in private is legal, public viewing is not allowed.
