Porn QR code planted at Ganesh pandal; 3 youths held in Maharashtra
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Wasim: Maharashtra police arrested three young men after a QR code scanner that redirected users to pornographic content was found near the feet of a Ganesh idol at a festival pandal in Washim city, according to India Today.
The incident came to light on September 18 at the Jai Bhawani Ganesh Utsav Mandal in the Kale File area. Members of the festival committee noticed the scanner near the idol and scanned it, only to find that it directed users to a Telegram group containing links to pornographic videos. They subsequently alerted the police.
Investigators examined CCTV footage from the pandal and found that three men had arrived on two motorcycles around 11 pm on September 17. One of them was seen placing the scanner near the idol, while another later returned to check it before the men left.
Further CCTV footage from the surrounding area helped police identify the suspects as Tanmay Mudhal, Yugandar Afune and Subodh, aged between 19 and 20.
During questioning, police said the trio admitted to placing the QR codes to make money. According to police, each scan generated a payment of between Rs 10 and Rs 15. Investigators also learned that similar scanners had allegedly been placed outside a Hanuman temple and a college in Washim.
Washim City Police registered a case and produced the three men before a court, which remanded them to police custody until Monday evening.
The investigation is continuing, with police examining how the QR codes were obtained, how the payment arrangement worked and whether the suspects placed similar codes at other locations.