No check on hidden cameras at stores

Charanjit Singh Teja

Advertisement

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 4

Reacting to the news of Union Minister, Smriti Irani, spotting a hidden camera in the changing room of a fashion boutique in Goa, women of the city say after this revelation, they do not feel “safe” in changing rooms of showrooms and malls here. During a visit to several malls in the city, The Tribune found women were cautious while visiting changing rooms, especially in malls.
Officials of different malls said there were no specific instructions of the police or any other authorities with regard to installation and checking of CCTV and hidden cameras. There is no check of the authorities concerned on the CCTV or hidden cameras in malls.
Manav Guram, manager, marketing and communication, at a mall, said: “Most stores in the mall are occupied by highly reputed multinational companies. A store in-charge is well aware of the guidelines of the government. They themselves are responsible for such complaints”.
Certain malls take steps to ensure the safety of women.
“We issue a ‘store inspection report’ to every store in the mall on its opening. After that we regularly check the direction of the CCTV cameras and any other change in sensitive areas,” said the representative of another mall.
Puneet, woman manger of a local fashion boutique from the same chain of boutiques where Smriti spotted a hidden camera in the trial room, said most of their customers are women. She said: “We have installed CCTV cameras to keep a check on visitors. I personally inspect the trial room after the visit of every customer to check any mischievous activity”.
On July 15, 2014, a shopkeeper was booked after a woman customer spotted a spy pen camera in the trial room of the shop on Mall Road. The police had recovered the hidden camera.
“Spy cameras are easily available in markets. Anyone from among employees can easily install such equipment in a showroom. So, women have to stay alert about the installation of hidden cameras in changing rooms. The authorities should also keep a regular check on such mischievous activities,” said Manjot Kaur, a resident.
“I have read a post on social media about the hidden cameras and angles of CCTV cameras installed in showrooms. I avoid using trial rooms,” Priya, another resident, said.