Thane Sessions Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To CCTV Technician Booked For Viewing Woman's Old Footage; Cites Voyeurism Charges Inapplicable

Thane: The Thane Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to a CCTV technician who was booked under Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for allegedly viewing old CCTV footage stored in a woman complainant’s mobile phone.

Court Observes No Private Act in Footage

The court observed that the offence of voyeurism was not applicable in this case as there was no evidence of the accused watching the complainant engaging in any private act.

The applicant, Ravindra Shayamaprasad Gond, had moved the court seeking protection from arrest in connection with FIR registered at Mira Road Police Station. According to the FIR, the complainant, a woman, had installed CCTV cameras in her home and had called Gond for repair work on April 16, 2025.

During the service visit, Gond was allegedly seen zooming in on previously recorded CCTV footage saved on the complainant’s phone, which she claimed amounted to an invasion of her privacy and outraging her modesty.

Police Sought Custody, Court Denied

The prosecution had opposed the bail plea, arguing that custodial interrogation was necessary and releasing the accused could hamper the investigation. However, the court found no prima facie evidence suggesting that Gond had viewed any footage involving private acts as defined under Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sangita (BNS).

“Voyeurism under Section 77 of BNS applies when a person watches or disseminates images of a woman engaging in private acts, such as exposing her or engaging in any sexual activity, where she would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. In the present case, the complaint does not contain any such allegations,” noted Additional Sessions Judge A.S. Bhagwat in the detailed order.

The court further observed that the footage in question had already been secured by the police on a pen drive and that Gond’s custodial interrogation was not necessary. Given the absence of any criminal history or risk of absconding, the court held that Gond was entitled to anticipatory bail.

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Bail Granted with Stringent Conditions

The court directed that Gond be released on bail in the event of his arrest, upon furnishing a personal bond and surety of Rs 50,000. He has also been ordered to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating officer every Saturday until the chargesheet is filed, and refrain from contacting the complainant or witnesses.