#BoysLockerRoom: Delhi Police Asks Instagram For Details Of Those Allegedly Involved In Objectifying Underage Girls

The Delhi Police, which on Monday (4 May) initiated a probe against the Instagram chat group "Boys Locker Room", have asked the photo sharing app to share the details of all the participants in the said group where photos of underage girls were being shared and objectified.

Speaking to IANS over the phone, Anish Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Cyber Crime, said, "We have asked Instagram to share the details of the members and admin of the said group, including their names, IP addresses etc."

Leaked screenshots of the private Instagram chat group kicked up a storm over rape culture in India after numerous boys were allegedly seen sharing photos of underage girls, objectifying them, and planning ''gang rapes''.

Earlier in the day, the Cyber Crime Cell of the Delhi Police initiated a probe into the matter and began analysing the social media posts related to the controversy.

The incident came to light after a girl from south Delhi shared a screenshot on social media, exposing the said group and scores of similar groups.

She wrote, "A group of south Delhi guys aged 17-18 types have this ig gc named "boy's locker room" where objectify and morph pictures of girls their age. 2 boys from my school are a part of it. MY FRIENDS AND I ARE FREAKING OUT THIS IS SO EWWW AND NOW MY MOM WANTS ME TO QUIT IG."

The girl also shared the screenshot of the list of participants of the group and that of their chats where they could be seen sharing pictures of girls and passing comments over them.

Soon after massive outrage erupted on the internet, the Delhi Commission for Women on Monday swung into action and issued a notice to the Delhi Police and Instagram over the issue.

"I saw screenshot of ''Boys Locker Room'' group on Instagram. This is a clear example of a gruesome criminal and rapist mindset," Delhi Commission for Women Chief Swati Maliwal said.

"We are issuing a notice to Instagram and Delhi Police. All the boys in this group should be arrested," she added.

In its notice to Instagram, the women''s body has asked the photo sharing platform to provide various information about the administrators and participants of this group including username/handle name, email ID, IP address, location etc.

DCW also asked the social media platform to state whether the matter has been taken up by the social media company and action taken thereof. "If yes, please provide complete details of the same. If not, please provide reasons for the same," the notice read.

The body also asked whether the matter has been forwarded to the police.

A notice was also sent to the Delhi Police asking it to submit a detailed action taken report in the matter and also a copy of the FIR.

Both the respondents have to submit their response by 8 May.

(With inputs from IANS)