Maharashtra Police Book Pune Journalist Over Alleged Voyeurism Case In Lodge

A Pune-based journalist has been booked for alleged voyeurism after reportedly filming a woman without consent inside a lodge room, police said on Saturday, in a case that has also raised suspicions of a possible blackmail and extortion angle.

According to officials, the FIR has been registered at the Vishram Baug police station against a reporter associated with a Marathi television channel under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 77, which deals with voyeurism and violation of a woman’s privacy.

As per the complaint filed by the woman, the accused allegedly recorded her during a private interaction with her partner inside a lodge. The allegations further state that the journalist and his associates attempted to capture visuals during moments when the woman had a reasonable expectation of privacy, including while she was changing clothes and using the washroom.

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Police sources said the complaint also includes claims that the footage may have been used or intended to be used for coercion, with the possibility of blackmail being investigated. However, officials have not yet confirmed the extent of any extortion network and said the matter is still at a preliminary stage.

Investigators are examining digital devices, communication records, and CCTV footage from the lodge as part of the probe. The accused has not yet issued a detailed public response to the allegations, and further action will depend on forensic examination and witness statements.

The case adds to a growing number of voyeurism-related complaints reported in Pune and other parts of Maharashtra in recent years, prompting renewed focus on privacy violations in hospitality spaces. Police have reiterated that strict action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated, particularly in cases involving abuse of journalistic access or digital recording tools.

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