YouTuber among 3 held for uploading videos of women bathing at Maha Kumbh, accused of selling footage online
PTC Web Desk: The Gujarat Police on Friday arrested a YouTuber among three others from Prayagraj for allegedly recording and uploading videos of women bathing during the Maha Kumbh 2025 on YouTube and Telegram. The police discovered objectionable footage of women on his devices during the investigation.
The case is linked to an earlier incident on February 19, when videos of women undergoing medical checkups at Payal Hospital in Rajkot were uploaded to YouTube. The Gujarat Police had been investigating the matter and had already arrested two persons from Maharashtra—Prajwal Ashok Teli from Latur and Praj Rajendra Patil from Sangli. Their interrogation led to the arrest of a Prayagraj-based YouTuber, identified as Chandraprakash Phoolchand.
Chandraprakash had allegedly uploaded around 55 to 60 videos of Maha Kumbh 2025 on his YouTube channel. According to Ahmedabad Cyber Crime DCP Lavina Sinha, the investigation revealed that the accused had been selling the videos to other channels as well. He personally recorded the footage, uploaded it, and then sold it online. His Telegram channel had over 100 subscribers who reportedly purchased such content.
The police suspect that the accused were running an illegal business, selling these videos at high prices. Additionally, the police are investigating their possible involvement in hacking CCTV cameras of 60-70 hospitals across the country.
The hacking of Payal Hospital’s CCTV cameras occurred between February and March 2024, leading to the unauthorised recording of women’s checkups. These videos were then sold on social media platforms, including YouTube and Telegram. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch suspects the same gang was behind this activity.
Investigators found that the accused were operating YouTube and Telegram channels to monetise explicit videos, generating significant revenue. Their operations were traced back to Maharashtra’s Sangli and Latur, from where the police conducted raids.
The alleged mastermind, Prajwal Teli from Maharashtra, had earned lakhs of rupees over the past eight months. Investigations revealed that the accused were selling videos at prices ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000. Preliminary findings suggest that hospital IP addresses were hacked from Romania and Atlanta, and Teli was reportedly in contact with hackers from these locations.
Three FIRs lodged in UP for Maha Kumbh video scandal
Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar stated that three FIRs had been registered against persons involved in uploading videos of women bathing at Maha Kumbh. The police are actively identifying and tracking others connected to the racket, vowing strict action against them.
Additionally, misleading information regarding Maha Kumbh has led to the registration of 55-60 cases. Investigators are working to trace and take action against the operators of such accounts. The arrested suspects are expected to be taken into police remand for further investigation.
- With inputs from agencies
