From Akola to Pune: How hundreds of CCTV cameras helped police find children missing from observation center

Ankita Deshkar is an associate editor and dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, it specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on cyber law, information technology and public safety, he directs “The Safe Side” series, where he deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer with the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and combating misinformation. She is also an AI trainer at ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement). Experience and professional experience. Role: Fact Checker and Deputy Editor, The Indian Express. Experience: Started working in 2016. Ankita brings unique multidisciplinary experience to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often crosses regional governance, wildlife conservation and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key areas of focus include: Verification and fact-checking: As a GNI-certified trainer, she leads workshops on how to debunk deepfakes, verify viral claims, and use OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber ​​Law and IT: With a postgraduate specialization in Cyber ​​Law, decode the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud and the changing landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Health and Safety: Through his column “The Safe Side”, he provides practical intelligence to avoid “juice jacking”, “e-SIM scams” and digital extortion. Regional Reports: Provides on-the-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from the Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and the wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education and Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic background includes: Master’s Degree in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reporting is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: “Did you lose money in a scam? Act within the ‘golden hour’ or risk it “Losing Everything”: a deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public health: “From deep coma to recovery: first fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged” — Investigating the consequences of pharmaceutical toxins and the health response. Governance and conflict: “Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal” – An analysis of socio-political change in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate “technical jargon into human stories.” Whether explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS help police or exposing the horrific conditions at wildlife transit centers, his writings serve as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday security. Contact and follow