Ernakulam, Kerala: A special investigation team (SIT) comprising cyber police officers has been formed to probe allegations that photographs and videos of teachers and female students at Bharata Mata College in Thrikkakara, Kochi, were morphed into obscene content and circulated on social media, police said.

The case centres on Sreehari S, a second-year BBA Logistics student of the college, who was arrested after being taken into custody and questioned by Thrikkakara police. Investigators are examining his mobile phone and digital records to determine how the images were created, where they were circulated and whether others were involved.

The SIT is being supervised by the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), with cyber police officers part of the team, according to police.

What is the case about?

Police registered a case on Wednesday night following a complaint from the college principal in-charge. According to the FIR, the student had allegedly been taking photographs and videos of teachers and students since 2025, morphing them and subsequently uploading them to platforms including Telegram and Instagram.

The student had reportedly been responsible for official photography and videography at various college events. Police are now examining whether photographs and videos taken during those programmes were subsequently misused.

The investigation is also looking into Telegram groups and social media accounts through which the alleged morphed images were circulated.

Police said a detailed examination of the accused's phone had yielded information relevant to the investigation. Digital evidence is being collected to establish the full chain of circulation.

How did the college respond?

The issue came to the attention of the college late on September 1, according to principal in-charge Soumya Thomas.

She said an alumnus informed a teacher about the matter late that night and that she became aware of it after 10.30 pm. The following morning, she said, the college conducted a preliminary inquiry.

"The very next morning, I arrived at the college and inquired whether there was any factual truth to the matter. Once it was prima facie evident that there was merit to it, committees including the Discipline Committee were convened. It was decided to file a police complaint against the student, and the student was dismissed," she said.

The college's preliminary examination reportedly found morphed images on the student's mobile phone. The authorities subsequently suspended and then dismissed him, while also approaching the police in view of the seriousness of the allegations.

Thomas rejected allegations that the college had attempted to protect the student.

She said the institution could not take action against a student solely on the basis of an allegation without following due procedure.

Why did students protest?

Students staged a protest on Thursday, alleging lapses by the college management in its handling of the matter.

Some students alleged that the management had allowed Sreehari to leave the college with a local guardian after the allegations came to light and had thereby protected him. They also claimed that more people could be involved in the alleged circulation of the morphed images.

Thomas said the student's parents were contacted as soon as the allegation emerged. Since they were away, she said, they sent a local guardian, who took the student home.

The principal also said there was no evidence so far to establish the involvement of other students.

What is the police investigation examining?

The investigation is now focused on the digital trail behind the alleged circulation.

Police are examining the accused's mobile phone and other digital information to establish where the images originated, how they were altered and which platforms and accounts were used to distribute them.

Details of Telegram groups, accounts that allegedly shared the images and digital communications are also being examined.

Students have alleged that morphed images were being sold for money and that the accused's phone contained evidence pointing to such activity. Police are examining these allegations as part of the wider investigation and are trying to determine whether others were involved.

Further arrests could follow if the investigation and digital evidence establish the involvement of additional people.

Thrikkakara police had earlier taken Sreehari into custody on Thursday and questioned him at the station. His arrest was subsequently recorded after detailed interrogation.

MLA seeks strong action

Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said she had asked the police to take strong legal action against those involved.

She said she contacted the Thrikkakara ACP and circle inspector after learning about the incident and sought an effective investigation.

The SIT's cyber police component will now focus on tracing the digital trail and identifying any other people who may have participated in creating or circulating the alleged morphed content.