Rajkot Homeopath Faces Charges in Elaborate Surveillance and Extortion Scheme
In a shocking case of privacy violation and criminal intimidation, authorities in Rajkot have uncovered a sophisticated surveillance and extortion operation allegedly orchestrated by a homeopathic practitioner. The incident has sent ripples through the local medical community and raised serious concerns about patient privacy and professional ethics.
Details of the Alleged Crime
The Cyber Crime police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. The complaint names Kamal Nandha, who holds a BHMS degree, as the primary accused along with several individuals identified as local scribes: Hiren Makwana, Ajaysinh Chudasama, Hardik Dodiya, Jagdish Teraiya, Jigar Sodha, Ghanshyam Patel, Jatin Nathvani, Swati Nathvani, Amit Thakkar, and Bharat. Two additional suspects have been identified through mobile numbers, though their names remain undisclosed.
According to police investigations, Nandha was acquainted with the complainant, an established Ayurveda practitioner who operates multiple clinics throughout Rajkot. Nandha frequently referred patients requiring injections to one of these clinics, which granted him regular access to the premises. The Ayurveda practitioner had permitted a woman acquaintance to operate from his second clinic located on Sadhu Vasvani Road.
The Surveillance Operation
Investigators revealed that Nandha, suspecting a personal relationship between the Ayurveda practitioner and the woman, meticulously planned and executed a surveillance operation. He allegedly installed a hidden camera inside a lamp holder in the examination room of the clinic. "Believing the complainant had a relationship with the woman, the accused secretly installed a camera and recorded activities inside the clinic," stated Jagdish Bangarwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime).
The covert camera captured not only private moments between the two individuals but also recorded patients being examined, creating a serious breach of medical confidentiality. Police estimate that between 2023 and mid-2024, the device generated approximately 3,000 to 4,000 video clips. Authorities suspect that Nandha's motivation stemmed from personal infatuation with the woman, leading him to install the camera to confirm his suspicions about her relationship with the clinic owner.
The Extortion Attempt
The situation escalated dramatically in June 2024 when Nandha allegedly shared selected footage with local scribes. These individuals then used the compromising material to blackmail the Ayurveda practitioner, threatening to publicly release the clips unless their demands were met. The accused reportedly demanded a staggering Rs 25 lakh to suppress the videos.
Under immense pressure and facing potential professional ruin, the complainant initially paid Rs 50,000 before gathering the courage to approach law enforcement. "The victim was continually harassed and eventually approached us. We registered an offence after verifying the preliminary evidence," explained J M Kaila of the Rajkot police.
Legal Framework and Investigation Status
The FIR has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 308(5), 308(4), 351(2), 356(3), 54 and 61, along with Sections 66(e), 67 and 67(a) of the Information Technology Act. These provisions cover various offenses including criminal intimidation, violation of privacy, and transmission of obscene material in electronic form.
Despite the detailed allegations and substantial evidence collected, police confirm that no arrests have been made as of yet. The investigation remains active, with authorities examining the extensive video archive and tracing the involvement of all named individuals. The case highlights growing concerns about digital privacy violations and the weaponization of surveillance technology for personal gain and extortion.
