Smriti Irani effect: Police launches drive against hidden cameras

Thiruvananthapuram: In the backdrop of the incident involving Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani where a camera was detected facing the trial room in a Goa outlet, police have launched a drive to inspect garment shops and hotels in the Kerala capital to prevent such occurances.

Under the initiative titled "Operation Dignity", inspections were carried out in about 15 shops in the city yesterday, police said.

"In the first day, we conducted inspections in around 15 shops. Though nothing suspicious had been found, we are planning more surprise checks in the coming days," Latha L, the Women Cell Circle Inspector, told PTI.

The Cyber Cell experts are also assisting the police in finding out if any cameras are hidden in shops and hotels, they said.

The squad, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Zacharia George, comprises four circle inspectors, including that of a Women Cell besides Cyber Cell officials.

Police said the drive was envisaged to protect the dignity of women as well as to check the misuse of teachnological gadgets as such a possibility is high now-a-days and frequent inspections would help reduce these incidents to some extent.

Besides the trial rooms, security and safety installations in the shops would also be brought under the scanner, the official said.