Authorities in Maharashtra have arrested the manager of a Navi Mumbai farmhouse for allegedly installing a hidden camera in a washroom to secretly record female guests. The accused, identified as Manoj Bhagwan Chowdhari, is facing charges of voyeurism under Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act.

According to police officials from Taloja police station, Chowdhari had set up a ‘spy camera’ in the washroom of the farmhouse located in Panvel. Over the weekend, the camera allegedly recorded videos of three women staying at the property. The victims discovered the device and caught Chowdhari red-handed. Following the incident, one of the women’s relatives lodged a formal complaint with the police, prompting immediate action.

Investigations revealed that Chowdhari had stored several such videos on his mobile phone and had allegedly circulated some of them with malicious intent, further aggravating the case. Authorities have emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting that incidents of covert filming and voyeurism have been increasingly reported in recent weeks.

This is not an isolated case. About two weeks ago, a similar incident surfaced in Hyderabad’s Yousufguda locality, where a woman discovered a hidden camera in a washroom light fixture at her residence. She had previously informed the house owner that the washroom bulb was malfunctioning. Subsequently, the owner, along with an electrician, came to repair the bulb while the woman was away. Later, her husband found a screw had fallen from the bulb holder, and upon inspection, they discovered a concealed camera.

When the couple approached the house owner, he initially tried to downplay the situation, removing the tampered bulb holder and later returning it in a seemingly altered condition, asking them to check themselves. When the woman threatened to file a police complaint, the owner allegedly tried to deter them by warning about potential blackmail by the electrician. The couple eventually lodged a complaint, and the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

These incidents underscore the growing concern over digital and physical privacy violations, highlighting the need for strict enforcement and awareness. Police officials have advised the public to remain vigilant about suspicious devices in private and rental properties and to report any unusual activity immediately.

Chowdhari remains in police custody as further investigations continue to determine the full extent of the videos recorded and shared. Authorities are also examining whether additional victims can be identified and whether there were other accomplices involved. The case has drawn attention to the potential misuse of hidden recording devices in private spaces, raising questions about legal protections and preventative measures to safeguard privacy.

The Maharashtra police have assured that strict action will be taken against individuals involved in such crimes and are actively investigating similar reports to prevent further incidents. They also highlighted the need for property owners and managers to be vigilant and responsible, as lapses in oversight can lead to severe violations of privacy and security for residents and guests.

This arrest serves as a reminder of the increasing sophistication of voyeurism crimes and the challenges faced by law enforcement in detecting and prosecuting such offenses. Authorities have urged citizens to remain alert and to report any suspicious devices immediately to ensure that perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.