Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s legal response, stating, *“Gujarat is the first state to add cyber terrorism clauses in the FIR, and we will press for a day-to-day hearing of the case in a fast-track court
The Gujarat government has initiated the drafting of a **standard operating procedure (SOP)** for the installation of **CCTV cameras in hospitals and clinical establishments** following a major hacking scandal that exposed sensitive footage from a **Rajkot gynaecology hospital** and several public places.
Announcing the move on Monday, the state government revealed that **footage of a woman being examined at Rajkot’s Payal Maternity Home**—along with **50,000 other clips from across 20 states**—had been hacked and sold **nationally and internationally** by cybercriminals operating through **virtual private networks (VPNs).**
International Hacking Network Uncovered
Addressing the **Gujarat Assembly** during a discussion on a **“matter of public importance”** introduced by Congress MLAs, **Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi** detailed the state’s response to the breach.
*”Our teams reached Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and arrests were made within 48 hours of the incident coming to light. Hacking of CCTV footage was done using VPNs by an international gang operating from other countries. The 50,000-odd videos that have been identified were hacked from places in at least 20 states of the country,”* he informed the House.
According to Sanghavi, the hacking operation involved individuals from **Georgia, Romania, Japan, and Atlanta**, with the stolen footage sold across **22 different Telegram channels.**
New Guidelines In Making
State **Health Minister Rushikesh Patel** acknowledged that **no existing guidelines** govern CCTV installation in hospitals. However, he stated that the health department had issued a **circular on 17 February 2025**, instructing all healthcare units **not to install CCTV cameras in areas where patients undergo physical examinations.**
Authorities are now formulating a **comprehensive SOP** to regulate CCTV placement and enhance cybersecurity measures in healthcare facilities to **prevent future breaches.**
Investigation Legal Action
The **Gujarat Police’s investigation** revealed that the hacked videos were up for sale on **YouTube and Telegram.** Officers managed to track down the culprits by **purchasing footage and tracing bank details** linked to the transactions.
Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s legal response, stating, *“Gujarat is the first state to add cyber terrorism clauses in the FIR, and we will press for a day-to-day hearing of the case in a fast-track court.”*
Dismissing speculation of wrongdoing by medical professionals, he added, *“Based on media reports, Gujarat Police could have arrested doctors of the hospital, but it does not arrest innocent persons just to close the case file.”*
Looking Ahead
The hacking scandal has brought **data security and privacy concerns** to the forefront, prompting the Gujarat government to strengthen regulations surrounding **CCTV surveillance** in sensitive locations. With investigations ongoing and **legal proceedings** set to accelerate, authorities are working to ensure **better protection of patient privacy** and **stronger cybersecurity measures** across the state.
