Jagatsinghpur: A junior clerk arrested in connection with the recovery of a spy camera from the women's washroom at the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) office in Jagatsinghpur had allegedly installed the device after his one-sided affection for a female employee was rejected, police said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference, Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police Ankit Verma revealed details of the investigation into the incident that has sparked concern over the privacy and safety of women employees at the government office.

The accused, identified as Sanjay Adheka, a Junior Revenue Assistant attached to the Zilla Parishad, was arrested by Tirtol Police on Saturday. Following his arrest, the district administration placed him under suspension.

Spy camera allegedly monitored women's washroom for months

According to the police, the accused had purchased the hidden camera online in January after learning about such devices through videos on YouTube. During interrogation, he allegedly confessed to installing the camera in the women's washroom in March and monitoring the footage remotely through his mobile phone.

Police said the accused would periodically remove the device for charging and reinstall it at the same location, allegedly continuing the activity for several months. Investigators have seized the hidden camera, a mobile phone, a pen drive and a CCTV hard disk from his possession as part of the probe.

The SP said the accused admitted before investigators that he had been viewing footage from the washroom through his mobile device. After being caught, he allegedly apologised and pleaded for leniency before police officials and local authorities.

The incident came to light on May 25 when a woman employee reportedly noticed the device after it fell to the floor inside the washroom. She immediately informed senior officials at the DRDA office.

Based on the complaint lodged by Additional Executive Officer Girija Shankar Mallik at Tirtol Police Station on May 26, police launched an investigation and subsequently recovered the camera from the premises.

Police are examining the seized electronic devices to determine the extent of recording and whether any footage was stored, shared or circulated. Further investigation is underway.

The case has triggered widespread concern regarding workplace safety and privacy protections for women employees in government offices. Authorities have assured strict action in accordance with the law.