A government employee working at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) office in Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly installing a spy camera in a women's washroom and secretly filming female employees. The incident came to light on Thursday when a woman employee noticed the hidden camera while using the washroom in the zilla parishad section of the DRDA office.
Arrest and Suspension
The accused has been identified as Sanjay Adhek, 35, a junior revenue assistant at DRDA, Jagatsinghpur. He was suspended from his job on Saturday by the district collector following the allegations. Adhek was arrested after a detailed investigation by the police, assisted by the district cyber cell.
Investigation and Evidence
An FIR was lodged by Girija Shankar Mallick, assistant executive engineer of DRDA, at Tirtol police station on Thursday. The police formed a team that examined CCTV footage, conducted forensic analysis of the electronic device, collected digital evidence, verified technical records, examined witnesses, and interrogated office personnel.
During the investigation, incriminating evidence emerged against Adhek. He confessed to placing the spy camera in the washroom in March of this year. The police seized a spy camera, a hard disk, a pen drive containing CCTV footage, a mobile phone, purchase invoices for the camera, and other digital records.
How the Spy Camera Worked
According to the police, Adhek procured the spy camera through an online platform in January and secretly installed it inside the ladies' washroom in March. The device was linked to his mobile phone through a dedicated surveillance application, enabling remote access and monitoring via a video-sharing platform.
Legal Action
The accused was booked under Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (pertaining to voyeurism) and other sections of the BNS, as well as Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, which deals with breach of privacy involving unauthorized capture or distribution of images from private spaces.
Adhek was produced in court at Jagatsinghpur on Sunday. The court rejected his bail application and remanded him to judicial custody. Further investigation is ongoing, with forensic examination of the seized devices to ascertain the full extent of the offence.
The Superintendent of Police, Jagatsinghpur, Ankit Kumar Verma, stated, 'The swift detection and successful investigation of the case reflect the commitment of Jagatsinghpur police towards ensuring the safety, dignity, and privacy of women and maintaining a secure workplace environment.'
