A couple residing in an upscale apartment in Surat's Vesu area has been plunged into severe distress after highly private videos of the wife, captured by their home CCTV system, were stolen and circulated widely across multiple social media platforms. The incident has triggered serious alarms about the vulnerability of home surveillance systems to hacking and unauthorized access.
Intimate Footage Stolen and Circulated
The victims, both working professionals, had installed four CCTV cameras inside their Vesu apartment primarily to keep an eye on their six-year-old child when a babysitter was present. According to the complaint filed at the Vesu police station, the breach occurred on December 2. Unknown individuals managed to access footage from one of the cameras installed inside the couple's bedroom. This footage, which showed the 35-year-old woman in a state of undress while changing clothes, was then leaked online.
The stolen videos were disseminated across major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Threads, causing immense psychological trauma to the couple. Police have registered a formal case, invoking sections of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Police Probe Hacking and Insider Threats
Investigators are exploring multiple angles to determine how the private footage was compromised. A senior police officer revealed that the husband had previously engaged a vendor to install cameras at his commercial establishment, and the same vendor was hired for the home setup. "We are examining whether the footage was stolen through hacking or shared by someone who knew the camera setup and login credentials," the officer stated.
The probe, now led by Vesu police inspector J I Patel, is scrutinizing both digital access logs and individuals familiar with the family's domestic arrangements. The case has been registered under BNS Section 77, which specifically addresses voyeurism involving the non-consensual recording or viewing of private acts. Additionally, Sections 66E and 67 of the IT Act have been invoked for the capture, transmission, and publication of private and obscene material in electronic form.
A Disturbing Pattern of Privacy Violations
In a shockingly similar case that underscores a growing trend, a 20-year-old woman in Amroli has also filed a police complaint. She alleged that a private video of her with her boyfriend was leaked and circulated without consent. The incident reportedly took place at the Galaxy Hotel in Amroli on November 24.
According to Amroli police inspector J. B. Vanar, the intimate video was not only posted via her own Instagram account but also sent to her family members and former schoolmates. "We have registered a case under the IT Act and are questioning hotel staff. Statements from the victim and her companion will be crucial in figuring out how the recording was made and who circulated it," Vanar said.
These back-to-back incidents in Surat highlight the critical and escalating threats to personal privacy in the digital age. They raise urgent questions about the security protocols of commonly used surveillance equipment and the ease with which intimate moments can be weaponized online, leaving victims to deal with lasting trauma.
