NHRC Issues Notices Over Alleged Use of Minors in Etah Social Media Videos

The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging that minor children associated with a purported coaching centre in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, were being scripted and repeatedly featured in objectionable and politically charged videos circulated on social media.

The complaint, which prompted the Commission's intervention, raised concerns about the children's dignity, privacy and psychological well-being. It also questioned whether their parents or guardians had consented to their participation, and whether the minors were being exploited to create and circulate social media content.

Acting on the matter, an NHRC Bench presided over by Priyank Kanoongo has issued notices to several authorities: the Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah; the District Magistrate, Etah; the Managing Director and Country Head of Meta India; and the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. All have been asked to submit Action Taken Reports within two weeks.

The Commission has directed the Etah police to identify the children involved and ensure that suitable measures are taken for their protection and counselling. The police have also been asked to determine who controls the Instagram account through which the videos were circulated.

In addition, the police have been instructed to examine the role of adults involved in scripting, recording, uploading or otherwise facilitating the content featuring the minors. Should the inquiry establish that a cognizable offence has been committed, the Commission has directed that appropriate legal action be taken, including the registration of an FIR.

Separately, the NHRC has sought information from Meta India regarding the repeated uploading and circulation of the content involving minors. The company has been asked to explain how such content was permitted to be repeatedly uploaded and circulated on its platform, and what steps were taken to restrict or remove it.

Meta India has also been asked to clarify whether any monetisation or other commercial benefit was generated from the content. The Commission has directed that relevant digital evidence be preserved while the matter is examined.

The NHRC has emphasised that the children should be treated primarily as minors requiring protection and assessment, rather than as subjects of the investigation. It has directed that the probe focus on identifying the adults or other persons responsible for scripting, creating, uploading, controlling or commercially exploiting the content.