Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified action against the circulation of illicit videos of women bathing and changing clothes at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Authorities have identified 103 social media accounts involved in uploading, sharing, or purchasing such content, with arrests imminent.

Maha Kumbh Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that an FIR has been filed against individuals and groups on platforms such as Telegram and Instagram. "These are criminal offences under the IT Act. Those involved in the selling and buying of such videos will be arrested," he told NDTV.

The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the world’s largest religious gathering, attracting millions of Hindu devotees who believe in the ritual purification of sins through bathing in the sacred waters. However, the exploitation of this religious tradition for voyeuristic content has sparked outrage.

Police surveillance teams detected the illegal activity through social media monitoring, uncovering accounts that were circulating explicit footage from the festival. "We have identified 26 active social media handles on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter involved in this crime. Strict action will be taken against them," Krishna added.

Officials stress that further investigations are underway, and more profiles could come under scrutiny. Law enforcement agencies are urging people to report such content and warning that even viewing or purchasing these videos constitutes a punishable offence.