New Delhi, October 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday urged the Centre to treat the circulation of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material (CSEAM) on social media platforms as a matter of utmost seriousness, indicating that it would suggest measures to address the problem.
A Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran made the observations while hearing a plea seeking criminal action against social media intermediaries for allegedly failing to report child sexual abuse material to the authorities as required by law.
The Bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, whether the government had submitted its response. Mehta informed the court that the Centre had filed its reply along with suggestions to tackle the issue.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel also raised concerns about the dark web. Responding to the submissions, the Solicitor General assured the court that the government was taking the matter seriously.
Describing the issue as a “very, very serious matter”, the Bench asked the Centre to examine the forthcoming order carefully and take the necessary steps. According to the Supreme Court’s official case status, the matter has been tentatively listed for further hearing on December 10.
Case concerns implementation of 2024 judgment
The proceedings arise from an application filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance (JRCA), seeking effective implementation of the Supreme Court’s September 23, 2024, judgment in Just Rights for Children Alliance v. S. Harish. The judgment addressed the statutory obligations of social media intermediaries to report suspected offences involving child sexual abuse material.
At the previous hearing on September 24, the court had granted the Centre a “last opportunity” to submit its counter-affidavit and an action-taken report detailing the measures adopted to implement the 2024 directions and curb the circulation of CSEAM online.
The court had also asked the government to explain the safeguards proposed to prevent future lapses by social media intermediaries. It directed the Centre to provide a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling CSEAM cases before the next hearing.
In its 2024 judgment, the Supreme Court clarified that compliance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, did not exempt social media intermediaries from their statutory responsibilities under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The court held that intermediaries must report the commission or likely commission of offences under the POCSO Act not only to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), but also to the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or local police, in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
NHRC raises concerns over compliance
The issue also came under scrutiny from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Earlier on Thursday, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo expressed concern over the continued delay in implementing the Supreme Court’s directions.
In a post on X, Kanoongo questioned why social media companies were allegedly resisting mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse to the police. He also raised concerns about the circulation and monetisation of such material on online platforms.
Separately, the NHRC has taken cognisance of media reports alleging that paid advertisements on Instagram promoted child sexual abuse material and directed users to Telegram channels where such content was allegedly being sold.
The Supreme Court’s proceedings are focused on ensuring compliance with existing legal obligations and strengthening safeguards against the circulation of child sexual exploitation and abuse material online.
FOLLOW NOW
