A shocking nationwide hacking racket has exposed a major privacy breach involving sensitive CCTV footage from hospitals, schools, and homes across India. The case first came to light in February 2024 after videos of women undergoing gynaecological checkups at a maternity hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat, surfaced on pornographic websites and Telegram groups.
What began as a local hacking case has now revealed a disturbing network spanning at least 20 states and involving thousands of leaked videos.
Hospital in Gujarat Becomes the First Target
The scandal started at Payal Maternity Home in Rajkot when revealing footage of women patients was found online.
Dr. Amit Akbari from the hospital said, “I don’t know how the hospital videos went viral. Our CCTV server seems to have been hacked. However, we are also unaware of why this happened and will inform the police.”
Following this, authorities discovered that hackers had infiltrated multiple CCTV dashboards, gaining access to private hospital areas. Several hackers were arrested in February, but leaked clips reportedly remained for sale on Telegram channels until June.
Hacking Spread Across 20 States
The investigation revealed that the racket extended far beyond Gujarat. Hackers managed to break into CCTV systems across at least 20 states, including Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Surat, and Ahmedabad.
Officials found that footage from over 80 CCTV dashboards — covering hospitals, schools, offices, malls, and even private homes — had been compromised.
How Hackers Gained Access to CCTV Footage?
According to investigators, the hackers exploited poor digital security practices. Many CCTV dashboards still used the default password, “admin123,” making it easier to gain access.
Lead hacker Parit Dhameliya, a BCom graduate, used three different software tools to extract login details, while another accused, Rohit Sisodiya, employed a legitimate remote viewing tool to access the stolen credentials.
Experts said weak passwords and the lack of two-factor authentication left these systems highly vulnerable.
CCTV Clips Sold Online
Investigations showed that nearly 50,000 video clips were stolen across India over nine months in 2024.
Short teaser clips were uploaded to YouTube channels such as “CP Monda” and “Megha MBBS,” which directed viewers to Telegram channels where the full videos were sold for ₹700 to ₹4000, according to The Times of India.
Experts Call for Stronger Digital Security
Cybersecurity experts have warned that this case is a wake-up call for institutions. Hospitals, schools, and offices must use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to safeguard sensitive data.
They stressed that such negligence puts the privacy of countless individuals at serious risk.
