A nationwide racket of uploading videos of maternity patients' treatment and examinations on YouTube and Telegram channels for profit has come to light. 

This shocking revelation surfaced after some videos were found to be from Payal Maternity Home & Surgical Hospital near Raiya Circle in Rajkot. Following a complaint, the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police team raided the hospital in Rajkot and recorded statements from doctors and staff. 

As the investigation deepened, two suspects were identified, leading to an inquiry that extended across three states.

Upon discovering credible evidence, the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch registered a case. Teams from both Ahmedabad and Rajkot Cyber Crime Police raided the hospital, seized DVRs and CCTV footage, and questioned doctors and staff. 

Cyber forensic analysis in Rajkot suggested the involvement of two more suspects, prompting an interstate investigation.

Countrywide network exposed

Preliminary investigations suggest that organised groups are active across Gujarat and two other states, involved in the heinous act. 

Specific individuals are involved in procuring and distributing these videos, prompting authorities to expand their probe into multiple states. 

A deeper investigation could potentially uncover a vast network responsible for leaking private hospital videos of women across the country.

Hospital videos uploaded on YouTube and Telegram

The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered videos from not only Rajkot but also other cities in Gujarat and three states that have been uploaded to YouTube and Telegram channels. 

These videos require a subscription fee on social media channels, with charges ranging from ₹200 to ₹1,000 for global access, reportedly catering to perverse interests.

Notably, the disturbing telegram channel had 292 subscribers as of February 18.

Senior police sources reveal that an organised network is using CCTV footage from private hospitals to create and sell these videos. While doctors and staff are facing allegations, hospitals are being blamed for gross negligence. 

The investigation is expected to reveal how the Payal Maternity Home’s CCTV footage was accessed. The hospital staff has claimed that their CCTV footage was hacked, a possibility that police are not ruling out.

As a result of the investigation, two suspect names have been identified and handed over to the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police team, as confirmed by senior officials.

Protests at Payal Hospital

Following the scandal of private maternity patient videos going viral, the Congress women’s wing staged a protest at Payal Maternity Home in Rajkot today. Protesters stormed the hospital, chanting slogans against the hospital and demanding to shut down the hospital.

When police refused to allow them to submit their demands to hospital authorities, a heated argument ensued between both parties. The situation also led to a verbal clash between protesters and the hospital’s doctors. However, the police did not permit anyone to enter the hospital under any circumstances.

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Ahmedabad Cybercrime begins probe after woman's private treatment goes viral