CCTV footage of women's check-ups at Rajkot hospital leaked online
What's the story
A police investigation has been launched after videos of women being subjected to medical examinations at Payal Maternity Home in Rajkot, Gujarat, were leaked online. The footage, which was recorded by the hospital's CCTV cameras, was later circulated on platforms such as Telegram and YouTube. The incident has raised concerns over the safety and privacy of women in healthcare facilities.
Server breach
Hospital director confirms CCTV server hack
Meanwhile, Dr. Amit Akbari, the director of Payal Maternity Home, confirmed that their CCTV server was hacked, leading to the video leak. "I don't know how the hospital videos went viral. Our CCTV server seems to have been hacked," he stated. He also asserted that the hospital will fully cooperate with the ongoing police investigation into the matter.
Online trail
Cyber Crime Police trace video uploads to YouTube, Telegram
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police found that the leaked videos were uploaded on a YouTube channel and promoted through a Telegram group. The creator of this group charged members for access to more videos, using screen grabs as teasers. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Hardik Makadia said the Telegram group was created in September last year, while the YouTube channel started in January.
Suspect search
Investigation underway to identify individuals involved
The Telegram group that was used to promote the leaked videos has more than 90 members. Investigators are now working to identify those behind this privacy breach. The Rajkot Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and are interrogating hospital staff, including doctors, to find out how the footage was procured and for what purpose.
Legal implications
Potential charges under Cyber Crime IT Act
Authorities are mulling charges under sections 66E and 67 of the Cyber Crime IT Act for privacy violations and distributing obscene content online. These sections deal with the violation of privacy and the distribution of obscene or sexually explicit content online. The investigation is still underway as authorities are trying to identify all the people involved in this incident.