Police in Kaushambi are investigating a suspected privacy breach at an autonomous state medical college after surgery photos circulated in WhatsApp groups, prompting calls from the State Women’s Commission for accountability and ethical review. The case centres on patient confidentiality and staff conduct during a gynaecology procedure.
India
-Ashish Rana
Police in Kaushambi are probing a suspected privacy breach at an autonomous state medical college after photographs of a 22-year-old patient, showing the face and private parts during surgery, were allegedly circulated on WhatsApp groups that included officials, doctors and media personnel.
Kaushambi police are investigating a privacy breach at an autonomous state medical college after explicit surgical photos of a 22-year-old patient were allegedly circulated on WhatsApp groups including officials and media, prompting intervention by the State Women’s Commission.
The suspected leak, which women’s groups have criticised as a serious violation of dignity and ethics, came to light after a State Women’s Commission member intervened and alerted district authorities. Police began a formal inquiry soon after the complaint reached senior officers.
Kaushambi medical college investigation: police response and charges
Satyanarayan Prajapat, superintendent of police (SP), described the case as grave and handed the investigation to deputy superintendent of police (DSP) (Manjhanpur) Shivank Singh. “Strict action will be taken against those found guilty. No one will be spared,” Prajapat said while confirming the start of the probe.
According to initial reports, the woman had been admitted to the gynaecology department on 26 April for treatment of a Bartholin cyst. Senior doctors supervised a procedure involving excision and marsupialisation, a surgical method used for such cysts, which was performed in the hospital’s operation theatre.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Patient admitted to gynaecology department | 26 April | Autonomous state medical college, Kaushambi |
| Surgery for Bartholin cyst performed | 26 April | Operation theatre, same college |
Kaushambi medical college investigation: complaint by State Women’s Commission
Controversy started when photographs taken during the operation were allegedly shared beyond hospital records. The pictures reportedly exposed the patient’s identity and genital area. The spread of these images sparked outrage, with critics highlighting potential breaches of medical confidentiality and possible offences under privacy and cybercrime laws.
State Women’s Commission member Pratibha Kushwaha wrote to the SP demanding accountability from hospital staff and administrators. “A letter has been sent to the SP for a preliminary inquiry. Further communication will be made with higher authorities after the report,” Kushwaha said, adding that the Commission is tracking every stage of the investigation.
Kaushambi medical college investigation: hospital officials and WhatsApp groups
Principal Dr. Hariom Kumar Singh admitted that a serious error appeared to have taken place at the institution and promised internal action. Singh termed the incident a “major mistake” and stated that disciplinary steps would be taken against any staff members found to have violated protocol or ethical duties.
Officials familiar with the inquiry said early findings point to a responsible official allegedly posting the photographs in a WhatsApp group created for institutional communication with journalists. The images were then reportedly forwarded to another official group linked to the state information department, whose members include the district information officer (DIO), the principal, several doctors and media personnel.
Investigators are now checking who captured the images during surgery, which staff were present in the operation theatre, and at which point the photographs left hospital control. Police sources said the images were deleted from the groups once the issue surfaced, but digital traces are being examined to establish exact responsibility.
