The National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned the Managing Director and Head of Meta India in connection with allegations involving advertisements for child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) on Instagram.

The Meta India executive has been directed to appear before the Commission on September 9 as part of a formal inquiry into the matter.

The NCPCR initiated proceedings after taking suo motu cognisance of a BBC Eye investigation that raised serious concerns over advertisements allegedly displayed on Instagram in India.

NCPCR Launches Formal Inquiry

The child rights body had earlier issued a notice to Meta Platforms, Inc. on July 3, 2026, seeking an explanation regarding the allegations highlighted in the media report.

Meta submitted its response approximately a week after receiving the notice. After examining the company's reply, the Commission decided that a detailed inquiry was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

The appearance of Meta India's top executive before the NCPCR is part of the Commission's effort to seek further clarification and examine the company's response in greater detail.

BBC Investigation Raised Serious Allegations

According to the BBC Eye investigation, Instagram allegedly carried paid advertisements containing terms associated with child sexual abuse material.

The report claimed that some advertisements directed users towards channels on Telegram, where illegal material was allegedly being offered for sale.

The investigation further raised questions about Instagram's advertising moderation process. According to the report, paid advertisements undergo approval through the platform's moderation systems before being published.

The BBC reportedly flagged one such advertisement to Instagram, following which the platform allegedly responded that the content did not violate its community guidelines.

These allegations have now come under scrutiny from Indian authorities.

NHRC Also Orders Police Investigation

Separately, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed Delhi Police to conduct a detailed investigation into allegations that paid Instagram advertisements were being used to promote child sexual abuse material in India.

The NHRC has also asked investigators to examine whether Meta and other entities involved complied with their statutory reporting obligations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The human rights body took cognisance of reports published by the BBC World Service and subsequently initiated proceedings after receiving a complaint on July 6.

In a letter dated July 8, the NHRC directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to submit a comprehensive Action Taken Report on the matter.

The parallel proceedings by the NCPCR and NHRC have intensified regulatory scrutiny of Meta's content and advertising moderation systems in India.

The investigations are expected to focus on the alleged advertisements, the mechanisms through which they were approved, and whether concerned entities fulfilled their legal responsibilities after the material was brought to their attention.