A 20-year-old college student in Ernakulam, Kerala, has been arrested for allegedly morphing and circulating explicit images of his female teachers online.

  • 20-year-old degree student Sreehari V.S. arrested in Ernakulam.
  • Accused allegedly morphed photos of at least three teachers.
  • Charges filed under IT Act Section 67A and BNS Section 79.
  • College management has expelled the student following an internal probe.

In a disturbing incident reported from Ernakulam, Kerala, the Thrikkakara police have arrested a 20-year-old college student for allegedly engaging in digital harassment. The accused, identified as Sreehari V.S., a degree student, is accused of morphing photographs of several female teachers and circulating them across online platforms.

The investigation, led by senior police officials, has revealed that the accused targeted at least three teachers. The matter came to light when a former student alerted a faculty member about the presence of these manipulated images online. Following the discovery, the college management conducted a disciplinary inquiry and subsequently expelled the student, handing over his mobile device to the authorities for forensic examination.

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Legal Framework and Charges

The police have invoked several stringent laws to address the gravity of the offense. The accused is facing charges under:

  • Section 67A of the IT Act: Dealing with the transmission of sexually explicit material in electronic form.
  • Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Addressing acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman or intrude upon her privacy.
  • Section 119(1)(b) of the Kerala Police Act: Regarding the recording or sharing of media that harms a woman's privacy.

Authorities are also investigating a potential financial motive, exploring whether the accused attempted to gain monetary benefits through the distribution of this content. While Sreehari is the only person currently in custody, police sources indicate that several other youths in a similar age group are under surveillance for suspected involvement.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights the growing menace of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) facilitated by easy-to-use digital manipulation tools. As technology evolves, the legal and educational systems must evolve faster to protect the dignity and privacy of individuals in the digital sphere.

The misuse of digital tools to violate personal dignity represents a new frontier in criminal behavior that requires immediate institutional vigilance.

The incident sparked significant outrage on the college campus, leading to student protests demanding the harshest possible punishment. The college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) remains active, inviting students to submit any further evidence or complaints related to the incident to ensure comprehensive justice.

Did You Know?: Digital forensics can now trace the origin of morphed images even if they are deleted or shared through encrypted platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What specific laws are being applied in this case?
Answer: The accused is charged under Section 67A of the IT Act, Section 79 of the BNS, and Section 119(1)(b) of the Kerala Police Act.

Question 2: What action did the college take against the accused?
Answer: The college management expelled the student after a disciplinary committee confirmed the allegations.