Private photos from Kaushambi medical college surgery trigger police probe

Police stated they are identifying who captured the photographs, who was present in the operation theatre, and how the images were leaked.

Preliminary findings suggest a responsible official shared the images in a WhatsApp group meant for institutional communication with the media; the images reportedly spread further after being shared in another official group linked to the state information department. The groups reportedly included the district information officer, the principal, doctors, and media personnel, and the photographs were deleted after the issue came to light.

Dr Hariom Kumar Singh, principal, acknowledged the incident as a major mistake and said disciplinary action would be taken against those responsible.

Satyanarayan Prajapat, SP, assigned the probe to DSP Shivank Singh (Manjhanpur) and stated that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

Pratibha Kushwaha, a member of the State Women’s Commission, intervened by writing to the SP and seeking action, leading to police awareness and a preliminary probe.

Photographs allegedly showing the patient’s face and private parts taken during the surgery were circulated on WhatsApp groups linked to officials and media personnel, prompting concern over privacy and medical ethics.

The 22-year-old female patient was admitted to the gynaecology department and underwent surgery for a Bartholin cyst, conducted under the supervision of senior doctors.