Kochi ,04 September (H.S.): A college student has been arrested in Kochi following allegations that he morphed photographs of female teachers and fellow students into obscene images and circulated and sold them through Telegram groups.

The accused has been identified as Sreehari, a native of Thiruvananthapuram and a second-year BBA student at Bharata Mata College, Thrikkakara.

Police launched an investigation after complaints surfaced about manipulated images of women associated with the college. Investigators reportedly found that photographs of several female students and teachers had been used to create sexually explicit images.

According to the preliminary investigation, the accused had access to videos and photographs taken during various programmes on the college campus. Images of teachers and students were allegedly extracted from these recordings and subsequently manipulated.

A search of Sreehari's mobile phone reportedly revealed a large collection of such material. Investigators also found images of teachers while conducting classes and visuals purportedly taken inside the women's hostel rooms.

Police suspect that some of the manipulated images were sold through Telegram groups. Details of alleged financial transactions and conversations relating to the sale of the images were also reportedly recovered from chats on the phone.

Investigators are examining the method used to create the images. The probe indicates that photographs taken by Sreehari, as well as images obtained from other sources, were sent through Telegram chats and returned in digitally manipulated form. Police are investigating whether other individuals were involved in creating or distributing the material.

Following the allegations, the college expelled Sreehari. Students said he had served as a media coordinator and video editor of the KSU unit on the campus.

KSU office-bearers also said he had been removed from the organisation after they came to know about the allegations. Police are continuing their investigation into the circulation, sale and possible wider distribution of the images.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman