Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar of Telangana High Court on Monday directed the State government to present a detailed report within two weeks over the steps taken to check misuse of spy cameras at malls and other places resulting in trauma to women.
The judge passed the interim direction after hearing a petition filed by Heavens Home Society represented by its founder president G. Varalakshmi seeking a direction to the Additional Director General of Police and Head of Women Safety to consider its representation to check misuse of spy cameras at malls, hotels and girl hostels. After hearing contentions of the petitioner’s counsel, the judge observed that the matter was “sensitive in nature” and directed the government to submit a comprehensive report by September 22.
The petitioner maintained that the media had reported on instances of illegal usage of spy cameras by installing them clandestinely at girls hostels, malls and hotels. “Videos of women filmed secretly while in bathrooms, changing rooms or private spaces through secretly placed spy cameras have traumatised many women,” G. Varalakshmi said in her plea. The head of women safety wing issued a circular on March 29, 2025 asking all the dealers of spy cameras paste cautionary stickers at their places warning the purchasers that misuse of such cameras would invite serious criminal action.
The petitioner stated that a letter was written to the head of women safety wing on July 10 to ensure the circular was enforced. However, no action was taken on the representation, the petitioner said. The matter was posted to September 22 for next hearing.
Published – September 08, 2025 11:20 pm IST
