Rajkot police crackdown on cybercrime syndicate
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Rajkot: A cybercrime scandal has come to light in Rajkot, where an organised racket was found selling hospital CCTV footage for profit, officials said.
The police arrested key suspects, revealing an illicit trade that had been active for over a year.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime Branch, Lavina Sinha, revealed that the accused operated two Telegram groups, selling videos for Rs 800 to 2,000. Investigations also found that the leaked footage wasn't limited to Rajkot's Payal Hospital, but also included videos from other hospitals.
Authorities acted promptly to track down and apprehend those involved in this underground network.
The Gujarat Police have intensified their crackdown on the culprits, and the scam has also been discussed in the Assembly. Government officials have assured strict legal action against all parties involved.
In February 2025, a significant privacy breach occurred at Payal Maternity Home and Surgical Hospital in Rajkot.
Unauthorized individuals allegedly hacked into the hospital's CCTV system, compromising sensitive footage of female patients undergoing medical procedures. This confidential content was then shared on social media platforms, including YouTube and Telegram, where perpetrators profited by charging users for access to the illicit videos.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch arrested three suspects: two from Maharashtra and one from Uttar Pradesh.
The investigation exposed that the accused individuals generated profits by selling these videos online, thereby committing severe violations of patient privacy. Authorities have registered cases under relevant sections of the Cyber Crime IT Act and are conducting further inquiries to dismantle the broader network involved in this operation.
The leaked videos, which surfaced online, depicted women undergoing various medical procedures, including sonography, breast examinations, gynaecological treatments, childbirth, and CT scans. These sensitive clips were uploaded and sold through Telegram and YouTube channels, exposing victims to severe privacy violations.
The circulation of such videos is a direct violation of patient privacy, prompting authorities to register a case and take strict legal action.
Preliminary findings suggest a nationwide racket exploiting hospital CCTV footage, with cybercriminals operating across Gujarat and at least two other states.
The misused footage was traced back to Rajkot's Payal Maternity Home and Surgical Hospital, prompting an immediate raid by Ahmedabad Cyber Crime officials.
Statements from doctors and staff have been recorded, as authorities work to dismantle the larger network behind the privacy breach.