Published Sep 08, 2026 | 12:35 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2026 | 12:35 PM
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The investigation into the Thrikkakara Bharath Mata College morphing case has widened to examine a possible financial network behind the circulation of morphed and private images, with police probing the role of members of paid Telegram groups and the possibility of more arrests.
The probe took a new turn with the arrest of Saneesh (20), a B Com student of Mavelikkara IHRD College.
Police found that Saneesh had been using Telegram groups to circulate morphed images allegedly created by the first accused, S Srihari, a second-year BBA student of Bharath Mata College.
According to the investigation team, Srihari had initially shared morphed images of teachers and students in a five-member Telegram group, from where the visuals were subsequently forwarded to larger groups, including paid groups.
Police have not so far found evidence that Srihari circulated the images for financial gain.
The probe subsequently led investigators to Saneesh, a native of Alappuzha.
Though the two did not know each other personally, Saneesh allegedly used the images shared by Srihari on Telegram and circulated them through groups for financial gain.
Police have identified a Telegram group with around 1,500 members that was allegedly used to promote such content and attract members to a separate ‘premium’ group.
Those joining the premium group were promised access to more exclusive images and visuals.
Investigators have also found evidence of a special premium group in which members were charged ₹250 as a one-time entry fee.
Saneesh allegedly shared his QR code for collecting the payment.
At least 12 people have so far been identified as having paid the amount and joined the group.
Police are examining whether these members subsequently sold or circulated the material for financial gain.
A youth from Malappuram is also under surveillance.
The investigation has further revealed that Saneesh allegedly shared pornographic content, including real images and videos of women, in various Telegram groups.
Police suspect that some of the content was offered to members for a fee, indicating that the financial angle may extend beyond the circulation of morphed images.
Investigators have also found that some of the visuals circulated in the groups were not morphed.
Real images and videos of women, including visuals allegedly taken from inappropriate angles without their consent, were also shared.
Police have clarified that the present investigation has not found evidence of morphing of images of female students. They said images of two Bharath Mata College teachers had been morphed.
Srihari, a native of Kilimanoor in Thiruvananthapuram, was the first accused arrested in the case after the college authorities complained that he had morphed photographs of teachers and students into obscene visuals and circulated them through Telegram and other social media platforms.
He was subsequently expelled from the college.
With Saneesh’s arrest, the investigation has now expanded from identifying the creator and initial circulation of the morphed images to tracing the wider network through which the content was promoted, distributed and allegedly monetised.
Saneesh has been produced before the court and remanded in custody.
Police are examining the bank accounts, digital evidence and financial transactions linked to the accused and are questioning Srihari further.
Investigators are also probing the identities of administrators and members of the paid groups and the source of the other private images and videos.
The Special Investigation Team led by Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner CK Bijoy Chandran is handling the probe.
Police indicated that further arrests are possible as the financial transactions and wider Telegram network are traced.
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(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
