Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday said those who were part of an Instagram group where objectionable things were being discussed about minor girls should not be spared.
The commission had issued notices to police and the photo and video sharing social media app over the online group ''Bois Locker Room'' being used by some persons to share objectionable pictures of minor girls and discuss illegal acts, including rape.
After the DCW issued the notices, a case was registered and a minor was apprehended, she said, adding that police are investigating about the other members of the group.
"These were the same people who were making plans to gang rape girls and were making objectionable comments about them.
"Such persons, irrespective of where they are and whether the lockdown is in place or not, should not be spared," the DCW chief said.
She also appealed to people that they should exit such groups if they are a part of them and report about them to the panel.
Maliwal also appreciated those girls who had reported about the group on social media and called them ''brave''.
"If they are facing any issues, they can approach the DCW and we will help them. I appeal to society to support such girls," she added.
A minor has been apprehended by police in connection with the matter.
Instagram said it has removed the objectionable content featuring minor girls on its platform, amid the outrage over the content.
In a statement, the photo-sharing platform also asserted that it takes such issues very seriously and accords top priority to ensure that its users can express themselves in a "safe and respectful way".
"We absolutely do not allow behaviour that promotes sexual violence or exploits anyone, especially women and young people, and have actioned content violating our Community Standards as we were made aware of it," A Facebook spokesperson said.
The company said the objectionable content that violated its community standards was removed as it was made aware of it, before they received the DCW notice.
The spokesperson emphasised that the company has policies that disallow the sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery, as well as threats to share such imagery.
"...we take this issue very seriously. Ensuring our community can express themselves in a safe and respectful way is our top priority," the spokesperson said.
The DCW had taken suo-motu cognisance of reports regarding the group, the panel had said in its notice to Instagram.
If an image or video violates Instagram's Community Standards, it is removed, and in most cases it also disables account for sharing intimate content without permission.
Further, there is an ?ppeal process if someone believes the removal was a mistake. Users can also report on Facebook, Instagram or Messenger, if someone has shared intimate images without their consent.
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