ROHAN RANE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON OVER GLOBAL ONLINE NETWORK THAT TARGETED CHILDREN

A 29-year-old Indian man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a court in Paris for leading an online criminal network accused of exploiting and coercing vulnerable children across several countries.

Rohan Rane was prosecuted over his alleged role in a group known as CVLT, which investigators linked to the Discord messaging platform. The case exposed how online communities could be used to manipulate vulnerable young people and pressure them into abusive situations.

A Criminal Network Operating Across Borders

According to court documents cited by The Associated Press, members of the group targeted children in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Prosecutors said victims were threatened and coerced into producing violent and sexually abusive material.

Investigators described CVLT as an organized online network rather than an isolated exchange between individuals. Authorities in multiple countries contributed information to the investigation as they worked to identify alleged participants and protect victims.

How Investigators Traced the Suspect

Rane was arrested in Antibes, southern France, in 2021 following alerts from U.S. authorities. At the time, he was studying in France after arriving from Pune, India.

Investigators examined electronic devices and digital communications as part of the case. Court documents indicated that the evidence included communications with minors and material associated with the online group.

Evidence and Admissions Presented in Court

Rane initially described the allegations as a misunderstanding. However, court documents reported by AP said he later acknowledged administering the Discord group.

The prosecution brought charges including extortion, torture of minors and offenses involving the online exploitation of children. The proceedings focused on the network’s activities and the alleged harm inflicted on its victims.

A Closed Trial to Protect Child Victims

The Paris court ordered the trial to be held behind closed doors because of the sensitive nature of the evidence and the involvement of child victims. This meant the proceedings were not open to the public in the usual way.

The case highlights the challenges authorities face when online abuse crosses national borders. Investigators may need to coordinate across jurisdictions, preserve digital evidence and identify victims who may be afraid to report what happened.

Other Suspects and the Wider Investigation

Authorities have also pursued other people alleged to have been involved in the network. U.S. court proceedings have addressed separate cases involving individuals described as members of the same group.

Rane’s sentence marks a major development in the French proceedings, but the wider investigation illustrates that online exploitation networks can involve participants and victims in several countries. Officials and child-protection organizations continue to stress the importance of reporting suspected abuse and cooperating across borders.

Source: The Associated Press, reporting on the Paris trial and verdict, October 2026.