Online Crimes Against
Women & Children
A comprehensive legal framework, investigation & prosecution handbook prepared by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs — covering IT Act 2000, BNS, BNSS, BSA, POCSO, DPDP Act & IT Rules 2026.
Download Official Legal Acts & Handbooks
Access the full texts of all primary Indian legislation and operational handbooks relevant to online crime investigation.
OCWC Handbook for LEAs (PDF)
Official Operational Reference by I4C, MHA
Information Technology Act, 2000
Full text from indiacode.nic.in — Official gazette
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Ministry of Home Affairs — mha.gov.in
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
Ministry of Home Affairs — mha.gov.in
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)
Ministry of Home Affairs — mha.gov.in
Handbook Sections
Navigate to key areas of the OCWC Handbook for operational guidance.
IT Act & Amendment Rules 2026
FAQs on the IT (Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 covering SGI, deepfakes, and platform accountability.
Explore FAQs →Chain of Custody & Evidence
Step-by-step protocols for digital evidence collection, seizure, forensic imaging, and maintaining chain of custody for court admissibility.
View Protocols →Legal Framework
Comprehensive reference of BNS, POCSO, IT Act, BSA, BNSS, DPDP Act and international frameworks applicable to OCWC cases.
View Framework →LEA Contacts & Portals
Emergency helplines, ISP/telecom LEA contacts, platform reporting portals, and investigation checklist for field officers.
View Contacts →Types of Online Crimes Against Women & Children
| Offence | Description | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberstalking & Harassment | Repeated, unwanted digital contact to cause fear or distress | Sec. 78 BNS Sec. 66C, 66E IT Act |
| Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII) | Publishing/threatening to publish private sexual images without consent | Sec. 67A IT Act Sec. 77 BNS |
| Online Sexual Harassment | Sending unsolicited sexually explicit content or making sexual demands | Sec. 67 IT Act Sec. 75 BNS |
| Sextortion | Obtaining images through deception, then threatening disclosure | Sec. 67A IT Act Sec. 308 BNS |
| Identity Theft & Morphing | Creating fake profiles, morphing images to harass or defame | Sec. 66C, 66D IT Act Sec. 319/336 BNS |
| Doxxing | Publishing private personal information online to facilitate harassment | Sec. 66E IT Act Sec. 78/351 BNS |
| Online Matrimonial / Romance Fraud | Deceiving victims on dating apps for financial gain or exploitation | Sec. 316/318 BNS Sec. 66D IT Act |
| Offence Type | Description | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| CSEAM | Production, distribution, storage, viewing of sexually explicit content involving minors | Sec. 14, 15 POCSO Sec. 67B IT Act |
| Online Grooming | Adult building trust with a child to facilitate sexual abuse via platforms | Sec. 11, 12 POCSO Sec. 67B IT Act |
| Cyberbullying of Minors | Repeated harassment or humiliation of a child through digital platforms | Sec. 67 IT Act Sec. 351/352 BNS |
| Online Trafficking | Using digital platforms to recruit or facilitate trafficking of children | Sec. 140/141 BNS ITPA |
| Live Streaming of Abuse | Broadcasting sexual abuse of a child in real time to paying viewers | Sec. 67A, 67B IT Act Sec. 14 POCSO |
| Dark Web Exploitation | Accessing or trading CSEAM via Tor, encrypted channels, dark web marketplaces | Sec. 67B IT Act Sec. 14, 15 POCSO |
Deepfake Sexual Content
AI-generated or synthetically generated sexual media placing a real person in fabricated sexual scenarios. Covered under Sec. 67A IT Act, Sec. 77 BNS, and IT Rules 2026 SGI obligations.
AI-Enabled Grooming
Use of AI chatbots or generated personas to groom children at scale. POCSO + IT Act framework applies.
Metaverse / VR Assault
Simulated sexual assault in virtual reality environments causing psychological harm. BNS sexual harassment and intimidation provisions may apply.
Sextortion Syndicates
Organised networks targeting victims via fake dating profiles. BNS extortion/cheating + IT Act + PMLA may apply.
Emergency Helplines & Reporting
1930 — Cyber Crime Helpline
Immediate cyber crime reporting via State/UT call centres
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
cybercrime.gov.in — Online complaint filing
181 / 1091 — Women Helpline
Women in distress — immediate assistance
1098 — Childline
Children in danger / exploitation
NCMEC CyberTipline
cybertipline.org — CSEAM reporting
CERT-In
cert-in.org.in — National-level incidents