Odisha: Junior Clerk Nabbed for Allegedly Using Hidden Camera to Blackmail Woman Colleague

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking case of workplace misconduct and invasion of privacy, a junior clerk working at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district has been arrested for allegedly installing a hidden camera inside a women's washroom to secretly capture images of a female employee.

The accused, identified as Sanjay Adekha, was arrested by police following a complaint lodged by the woman employee.

According to investigators, Adekha had reportedly developed an obsession with the woman and had repeatedly tried to establish a personal relationship with her. However, the woman consistently rejected his advances.

Police said the accused allegedly planted a concealed camera in the washroom with the intention of obtaining compromising photographs of the woman and later using them to blackmail her.

The matter came to light when the woman employee noticed suspicious activity and alerted the authorities. A subsequent inquiry led to the recovery of the hidden recording device from the washroom premises.

Confirming the arrest, Superintendent of Police Ankit Verma said that the accused had been taken into custody and a detailed investigation was underway. Preliminary findings indicate that the camera had been deliberately installed to secretly record the victim.

According to sources, the accused had procured the hidden camera from the e-commerce platform Amazon after viewing a YouTube tutorial on the use of digital devices for clandestine photography in bathrooms. Police believe the device was installed with the intent to capture images of the woman employee and subsequently use them for blackmail.

Officials have assured that stringent action will be taken against the accused in accordance with the law.

Police are examining the electronic device and any data stored in it to ascertain whether any images or videos were recorded and if they were shared with anyone. Additional charges may be invoked depending on the findings of the forensic examination.

The accused was produced before a local court, while investigators continue to probe the case from all possible angles.