A major cybercrime case involving hacked CCTV footage from a Rajkot maternity hospital has raised serious concerns over patient privacy and digital security. The investigation, which began after a video surfaced online, later uncovered a wider network allegedly involved in hacking surveillance systems and selling private footage through social media platforms and messaging groups.
The case came to light on February 17, 2025, when a disturbing video began circulating online around 5 pm. The footage showed a nurse administering an injection to a woman patient in a private area of her body. Authorities later traced the video to a maternity hospital in Rajkot.
According to hospital administrators, staff were unaware that any footage from the labour room had been leaked. The issue reportedly surfaced when a reporter contacted the hospital about videos appearing online. Hospital authorities then approached police, while the Ahmedabad Cybercrime Branch had already registered an FIR and launched an investigation.
Police soon found that the leaked clip was not an isolated incident. Investigators discovered that multiple CCTV videos showing women patients inside labour rooms and during medical procedures were allegedly being circulated and sold online.
During the probe, police found that teaser clips were uploaded on YouTube to attract viewers and buyers. Full videos were allegedly sold through closed Telegram groups, with prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000.
Hospital staff and patients were questioned while investigators examined CCTV systems and seized electronic devices. Police later concluded that the CCTV system had been hacked from outside and found no direct involvement of hospital staff in the crime.
On February 18, cybercrime officials identified videos uploaded through three YouTube channels. Information obtained from Google helped investigators trace suspects located in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
The first arrests included Prajwal Ashok Teli, 23, from Latur in Maharashtra; Praj Rajendra Patil, 19, from Sangli in Maharashtra; and Chandraprakash Phoolchand, 33, from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
According to police, the accused allegedly communicated through virtual numbers and remained connected with hackers based in Romania and Atlanta in the United States. Investigators claimed that surveillance systems in hospitals, malls and commercial establishments were hacked and that clips involving women patients were selected and distributed online.
Examination of mobile phones and digital devices led police to Telegram groups and financial transaction records linked to the operation.
Investigators identified 22 channels connected to a Telegram network called “Megha Demos”. Police said preview clips were shared in demo groups while paid material was distributed through premium groups. Other groups found during the investigation included “Demo CCTV”, “CCTV Injection Group”, “CCTV Demo Premium” and “CCTV Group”. Police estimated that the network may have generated more than Rs 8 lakh before being uncovered.
Further arrests followed on February 23, when police arrested Vaibhav Bhandu Mane, 24, from Sangli; Parit Ghanshyam Dhameliya, 36, from Surat; and Ryan Robin Pereira, 20, from Vasai in Maharashtra.
On February 24, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi informed the Assembly that two hackers had allegedly hacked over 50,000 CCTV cameras during an eight-month period. According to the statement, affected cameras were located across India, including hospitals, schools, colleges, corporate offices, movie theatres and private homes.
Another accused, Rohit Sanjaykumar Sisodia, 27, from Delhi, was arrested on February 26. Police later filed the first chargesheet against seven accused on May 17.
The eighth accused, Tushar Anil Santramsingh Bhatia, 22, from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, was arrested on June 12. Police said his devices contained hacking tools, financial records and links to Telegram groups connected to the case. A supplementary chargesheet was later filed on September 12.
The chargesheet details how the accused allegedly exchanged hacking tools, CCTV access credentials and payment information through Telegram networks.
Police alleged that Parit Dhameliya and Tushar Bhatia exchanged hacking information and QR codes that enabled access to CCTV systems. Investigators said IP logs of both accused were found in the hospital’s Digital Video Recorder.
According to police, Rohit Sisodia gained access to the hospital CCTV system using IP addresses and passwords shared with him. He allegedly downloaded live footage and shared around 150 videos through Telegram groups, charging Rs 700 for live labour room access.
Police alleged that Prajwal Teli later joined the Telegram network after paying Rs 700 and uploaded downloaded footage to YouTube. Praj Patil allegedly shared links and prepared payment menus for buyers, while Vaibhav Mane allegedly helped market the videos and shared profits. Ryan Pereira was accused of deleting evidence and selling hacking tools, and Chandraprakash Phoolchand allegedly uploaded hospital footage and other voyeuristic videos online.
Police did not make hospitals accused in the case but acknowledged security lapses. Investigators found that the hospital had reportedly not changed the CCTV system’s default password, “admin@123”, after installation. Officials also noted that privacy curtains in the labour room were not always closed.
Ahmedabad Cybercrime ACP Hardik Makadia stated that police found no criminal intent by hospital staff, although privacy-related lapses were identified.
Hospital administrators admitted there had been issues regarding privacy curtains but maintained that CCTV cameras in labour rooms and operation theatres were often installed for monitoring and medico-legal protection, and claimed that patient consent had been obtained.
The case has sparked wider discussions about hospital privacy and cybersecurity standards. Healthcare bodies and officials have stressed the need for stronger digital safeguards to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive patient information and medical spaces.
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