CCTV videos of women undergoing check-ups at Rajkot gynaec hospital leaked online

(Image: NDTV)

A police investigation has been initiated following the circulation of videos showing women patients being examined by doctors at a maternity hospital in Gujarat. The footage was shared on social media platforms, including Telegram and YouTube, sparking concerns over the safety and privacy of women at a healthcare facility traditionally regarded as a safe space.

The videos, which show nursing staff administering injections to women patients, were captured by CCTV cameras at Payal Maternity Home in Rajkot. The clips were widely disseminated online and eventually caught the attention of the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police.

When questioned by authorities, the hospital's director, Dr Amit Akbari, stated that the CCTV server had been hacked, which led to the videos being leaked. "I don't know how the hospital videos went viral. Our CCTV server seems to have been hacked. We are unaware of the motive behind this and will cooperate fully with the police investigation," Dr Akbari asserted.

The initial investigation revealed that the videos were uploaded to a YouTube channel and promoted through a Telegram group. The creator of the group charged members a fee to access additional videos of women being examined, sharing screen grabs as a teaser to attract paying subscribers.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Hardik Makadia, the Telegram group was created in September of the previous year, while the YouTube channel was launched in January. The channel has uploaded seven videos to date, with one featuring a nurse and patient conversing in Gujarati. Investigators have yet to confirm the exact location where these videos were recorded.

"The Telegram group has over 90 members, and the videos appear to have been taken from CCTV footage inside the hospital. We are currently working to identify the hospital and the individuals involved," said Makadia.

Rajkot Cyber Crime Police have also opened a case and are interrogating the hospital staff, including doctors, to determine how the footage was obtained and for what purpose. The videos are being closely examined, and authorities are considering charges under sections 66E and 67 of the Cyber Crime IT Act, which relate to the violation of privacy and the distribution of obscene content online.