Goa, Apr 3 (Agencies) Union minister Smriti Irani spotted a camera in the trial room of an apparel store in Goa on Friday, sparking a debate over privacy concerns at such facilities in the tourism-dependent coastal villages in the state.
Irani, on a two-day visit to Goa, came across the camera when she was at a FabIndia showroom at Candolim village, 20km north of state capital Panaji, to buy clothes.
Superintendent of police (north) Umesh Gaonkar said four staff members of the showroom were arrested. They are: Paresh Sadanad Bhagat (26) Raju Sanap Mallappa Payanachi (24), Prashant Dattaram Naik (20) and Karim Sanap Amil Lakhani (24). All of them are local residents, according to Calangute police station station where an FIR was lodged.
Gaonkar said the case was transferred to the crime branch.
Officials said Irani immediately alerted her husband, businessman Zubin Irani, after spotting the camera around 12.40pm. She then called BJP legislator Micheal Lobo, who accompanied her to the police station. Lobo lodged the FIR on Irani's behalf.
“When we went and switched the camera on, the entire video was recorded... This is mischief... Somebody has been watching the recordings," the MLA said.
Calangute police found a CCTV camera installed in the ventilation unit of the room. "The camera was installed outside the changing room, but it seemed to have a view of the inside," said police inspector Nilesh Rane.
“Following the complaint registered by Lobo, we arrested four persons of the Fabindia outlet who were present on duty," he said, “We have seized the hard disk and CCTV footage of the outlet and scanning it to verify the facts. We are also trying to find out if they have kept any recording of the changing room."
Irani could not be contacted. Lobo, who represents Calangute in the state assembly, said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government was taking the matter seriously.
"The camera was placed in a mischievous place and there is footage of women changing clothes," Lobo said.
Footage from the camera, which was installed four months ago according to the store's staff, was being recorded in a computer in the manager's office, Lobo said.
"It's a matter of concern that somebody's privacy is being invaded. Somebody wanted to see a woman naked: this is unacceptable. Other showrooms and malls should be investigated," Lobo added.
SP Gaonkar said, "Irani's statement has been recorded as a victim, along with another woman who had entered the room earlier. Police have already sealed the shop and is inspecting the showroom."
A case has been registered under sections 354 C (whoever watches, or captures the image of a woman engaging in a private act in circumstances where she would usually have the expectation of not being observed either by the perpetrator or by any other person), and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Also, the Information Technology Act has been applied and the Section 66E, which prescribes punishment for violation of privacy, has been used to book the accused.
Gaonkar said police had formed a special team to inspect all the showrooms in the coastal belt to ensure that there were no CCTV cameras installed in changing rooms. He added instructions will also be issued to all the police stations to form teams and inspect the changing rooms in their respective areas.
In Bangalore, Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, "Right now I'm in Bangalore for (the BJP's) national executive meet, but I have been gieven to understand that Madam Smriti Irani had gone to Goa, and during her stay in Goa probably she went for some purchases in a shop by name FabIndia."
"We will take stringent action. Thorough investigation would be done and the culprit will be taken to task."
The Congress alleged that the 'changing-room scandal' was Goa's best-kept secret, especially in coastal villages which see a large number of tourists.
"Not just this boutique, all stores with such a facility must be investigated. A Union minister can at least alert the authorities, but most people cannot," Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said.
National Commission for Women member Shamina Shafiq said, "It needs to be investigated where the previous videos have been sent."
As a row broke out, FabIndia managing director William Bissell said, "The cameras don't focus on trial room." "The cameras are inside stores to check shoplifting," NDTV quoted him as saying.
Earlier:
Smriti Irani spots CCTV directed at changing room, FIR registered
Panaji, Apr 3 (PTI): Trying on clothes at an outlet of a reputed garment brand at Candolim village near here, a vigilant Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani today spotted a hidden camera positioned to record inside the small room, raising an alarm after which Goa Police registered a case against the staff for voyeurism.
Irani, on a visit to Goa, came across the camera when she was in the FabIndia showroom to buy clothes and immediately protested, alerting her husband, businessman Zubin Irani. said Superintendent of Police (North) Umesh Gaonkar.
She then called BJP legislator Micheal Lobo, who lodged an First Information Report (FIR).
"When we went switched on the camera, the entire video was recorded... This is mischief... Somebody has been watching the recordings," the MLA said.
Footage from the camera, installed four months ago according to staff at the store, was being recorded in a computer in the manager's office, Lobo said, confirming that it held many recordings of people changing in the trial room.
Calangute police, which searched the showroom after a complaint by Lobo, found a CCTV camera installed in the ventilation unit of the room.Gaonkar said police have recorded statement of Irani.
"Irani’s statement has been recorded as a victim, along with another woman who had entered the room earlier," he said.Police have already sealed the shop and is inspecting the showroom.
A case has been filed under section 354 C (voyeurism) and 509 (intrusion into privacy) of Indian Penal Code against employees who were monitoring the cameras. We are analysing the entire data,” the SP said.
Gaonkar said that police have formed special team to inspect all the showrooms in the coastal belt to ensure that there are no CCTV cameras installed in changing rooms.
He said instructions will also be issued to all the police stations to form teams and inspect the changing rooms in their respective areas.
In Bangalore, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, "Right now I'm in Bangalore for National Executive meet but I have been gieven to understand that Madam Smriti Irani had gone to Goa, and during her stay in Goa probably she went for some purchases in shop by name FabIndia.
"Suo moto case has been registered against the concerned person. We will take stringent action. Don't worry we will take stringent action, case has been registered against the culprit. Through investigation would be done and the culprit will be taken to task."
"I spoke to the police officer over there. It was reported that she had gone for changing of clothes and immediately she noticed that there was one hole in the room and beyond the hole one camera was hanging, so immediately came and complained. It was verified, it was confiscated, it was learned that it was functioning and case has been registered against the manager and the staff," he said.