Mohit Priyadarshi, a 31-year-old private airline pilot from Agra, was arrested by Delhi Police on August 30 for secretly filming a woman at Shani Bazar in Kishangarh, southwest Delhi, using a spy camera disguised as a cigarette lighter.
The woman, who noticed the device aimed at her without consent, filed a complaint leading to police registration of a case under sections 77 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to molestation and voyeurism. Following detailed investigation, including CCTV footage review and intelligence gathering, Priyadarshi confessed to filming videos for personal gratification. The disguised camera was seized and further investigation continues.
Voyeurism Unveiled: Incident and Investigation
The incident occurred on the night of August 30 when the complainant, a resident of Kishangarh Village, spotted Priyadarshi covertly recording her with a lighter-shaped camera at Shani Bazar. Delhi Police acted promptly, forming a special investigation team led by Inspector Ajai Kumar Yadav and ACP Melvyn Varghese.
The team meticulously analysed CCTV footage and circulated the suspect’s image among local police units. Utilizing local beat staff and informers, intelligence was gathered that enabled the arrest of Priyadarshi. The accused is a resident of Civil Lines, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. Under sustained interrogation, he admitted to targeting women for filming as a form of personal gratification, raising alarm about the misuse of concealed technology for voyeuristic purposes.
Privacy at Risk: Broader Context and Challenges
This case spotlights rising concerns around privacy breaches and voyeurism in public spaces amid advancing technology. The use of miniature cameras disguised as everyday items such as lighters complicates detection by victims and authorities alike.
Such technological concealment makes it easier for offenders to invade personal privacy with relative ease. Law enforcement agencies continue to examine whether there are other victims and evolve strategies to combat such covert violations.
The growing frequency of such offences calls for urgent legal reinforcement and public awareness campaigns to safeguard citizens’ privacy effectively.
Despite Delhi being one of the most surveilled cities globally, boasting over 2.6 lakh CCTV cameras, a significant number remain non-functional, with recent audits revealing over 32,000 faulty cameras and 15,000 missing across the city. This serious gap in surveillance infrastructure poses challenges for crime prevention, including cases of voyeurism like the recent pilot incident.
Although crime against women, including molestation and eve-teasing, has shown a decline in early 2025, attributed to intensified patrolling and stricter law enforcement, the malfunctioning of crucial CCTV networks limits effective monitoring and prompt responses. This calls for urgent government and community action to strengthen surveillance and uphold citizens’ security and privacy.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The incident underscores the critical need to uphold privacy, dignity, and consent in increasingly surveilled public arenas. The Logical Indian reiterates its commitment to empathy, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence while firmly condemning any behaviour that violates personal boundaries.
Technology must never be a tool for exploitation or harassment. Collective societal vigilance, enhanced legal frameworks, and compassionate support for victims are imperative to thwart voyeurism and molestation.
