Telangana High Court Orders Police To File Action-Taken Report On Preventing Misuse Of 'Spy Cameras' To Record Women In Malls, Hotels

The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the Additional Director General of Police to file an Action Taken Report in furtherance of the Circular issued in March 2025 to curb the use of spy cameras to record women in girls' hostels, malls, hotels etc. Videos of women filmed secretly while in bathrooms, changing rooms, or private spaces through secretly placed spy cameras.

Justice N V Shravan Kumar, who was hearing the writ ordered: “Having considered the above facts and circumstances, the respondent No.3 is directed to consider the petitioner's representations dated 07.07.2025 and 10.05.2025 and file a detailed report, stating the action taken on the petitioner's representations dated 07.07.2025 and 10.05.2025, by the next date of hearing.”

The Circular, issued by the Director General, Women's Safety Wing, Telangana, had directed all police units to identify and paste cautionary stickers in the shops of dealers who were selling spy cameras. The cautionary stickers should let individuals know that capturing the private areas of any individual without his or her consent would amount to an offense under section 66€ of the IT Act, 2000 and inform the person of the criminal penalty that follow.

Further, the Circular mandated that the management of all establishments that came under the Telangana Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2013, as per section 4, need to file a declaration signed by the concerned Inspector of Police that all rooms, toilets, washrooms and private spaces were thoroughly checked manually or by spy cameras and nothing was found.

Lastly, section 5 of the Public Safety Measures Act, permitted the inspector of Police having jurisdiction to enter and search any establishment without any prior notice, and that if any violations were found, a report should be sent to the ACP or SDPO concerned.

The petitioner contended that she is the founder of the Heaven Home Society, which is an NGO operational since 2012, with a motto to facilitate a just, equitable, and humane society. That she had witnessed many protests in colleges all across Telangana, which were fueled by female students being recorded using hidden cameras, and thus, had written to the Additional Director General of Police on multiple occasions, seeking an update on the action taken in furtherance of the circular, but never heard back. Thus, with no other alternative filed, the present petition.

Considering the gravity of the situation, the Bench directed the ADGP to reply to the representations of the petitioner and also directed that a detailed action taken report be filed.

The matter was adjourned to 22.09.2025

Heavens Home Society vs. State of TS

Counsel for petitioner: P. Sree Ramya and Lalith Jogi.

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