A 22-year-old university student in Hisar has filed a police complaint after she discovered a hidden recording camera inside the changing room of a photo studio. The police have arrested the studio owner, identified as Prateek, in connection with the case.
According to The Tribune, the incident took place at Studio Cinemagic located on Nirankari Bhawan road in Hisar town. The student had been contacted by the studio through her Instagram account on June 4 for a collaboration involving modelling and other assignments.
How the hidden camera was discovered
After initial discussions, the student was invited for a photoshoot on July 18. She went to the studio accompanied by a friend. The studio owner gave her some dresses to change into. It was inside the changing room that she detected a hidden recording camera.
The police have registered a case under sections 77 (voyeurism), 126 (wrongful restraint), and 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the student's complaint.
Police action and arrest
Following the complaint, the police acted swiftly and arrested the studio owner, Prateek. The case highlights the growing concern over privacy violations, particularly targeting young women who are lured with promises of modelling assignments.
The student's courage in coming forward and reporting the incident has been widely appreciated. The police are now investigating whether there were other victims or if similar incidents had occurred at the studio earlier.
Our Take: A disturbing breach of trust
This case is a stark reminder of how easily trust can be exploited. A young woman who was simply pursuing an opportunity for collaboration was put in a deeply violating situation. The fact that a hidden camera was placed in a changing room — a space where privacy is expected — makes this crime particularly serious.
In our view, the swift arrest by the police is commendable, but it also raises questions about how many such cases go unreported. Many victims may feel ashamed or afraid to speak up. This incident should encourage more women to report such violations without fear. It also puts the spotlight on the need for stricter checks on studios and businesses that invite young people for modelling or photoshoots.
To put it plainly, this is not just about one studio or one owner. It is about a system that allows such violations to happen. The law must come down hard on offenders, and society must create an environment where victims feel safe to speak out.