The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of claims that minors were scripted and used in objectionable Instagram videos linked to an Etah coaching centre. It has issued notices to local authorities, Meta India, and MeitY, seeking protection for the children, investigation into the content, and potential legal action.
India
-Oneindia Staff
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging that minor children were repeatedly featured in objectionable and politically themed social media videos circulated through an Instagram account reportedly linked to a coaching centre in Etah, Uttar Pradesh.
A Bench of the Commission headed by NHRC Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo has issued notices to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Etah; District Magistrate, Etah; Managing Director and Country Head, Meta India; and the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), directing them to submit Action Taken Reports within two weeks. The complaint alleged that the children were being scripted and repeatedly used in videos uploaded on social media, raising concerns about their dignity, privacy, psychological well-being, parental consent and possible exploitation.
The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of claims that minors were scripted and used in objectionable Instagram videos linked to an Etah coaching centre. It has issued notices to local authorities, Meta India, and MeitY, seeking protection for the children, investigation into the content, and potential legal action.
Taking the matter seriously, the Commission directed the Etah police to identify the children featured in the videos and ensure their protection, counselling and welfare. The police have also been asked to determine who controls the social media account and examine the role of adults allegedly involved in scripting, recording, uploading or facilitating the content.
The NHRC further directed that if the inquiry reveals the commission of any cognizable offence, appropriate legal action, including registration of an FIR, should be initiated in accordance with law.
In its notice to Meta India, the Commission sought details on how content involving minors was repeatedly uploaded and circulated on the platform. The company has also been asked to clarify whether any monetisation or commercial gain was linked to the content and what steps, if any, were taken to restrict or remove the videos. The Commission has additionally directed that all relevant digital evidence be preserved.
The notice to MeitY seeks information regarding the safeguards, oversight mechanisms and regulatory measures available to address cases involving the use of children on digital platforms.
The Commission observed that the children appearing in the videos must be treated primarily as children requiring protection and care. It emphasized that the focus of the investigation should be on identifying and examining the role of the adults or other persons responsible for creating, scripting, uploading, controlling or commercially exploiting the content. The matter will be reviewed by the Commission after receiving responses from the concerned authorities and agencies.
