T’puram: State human rights commission chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas has directed the city police chief to entrust the supervision of the investigation into the leak of CCTV footage from Kairali, Sree and Nila theatres to a senior police officer. The footage, allegedly showing moviegoers in compromising situations, was circulated on social media, raising concerns over violations of privacy. The commission directed the police to intensify the investigation, identify those responsible and initiate legal action at the earliest. The commission also directed the state police chief to ensure that all cinema theatres across Kerala take necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such privacy violations. It said the police could seek assistance from the Hi-Tech Cell if required, and the cell should extend the necessary support if requested by the city police chief. In its report to the commission, the managing director of Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) said the corporation had received information from the cyber cell regarding the circulation of CCTV footage from the three theatres. Steps had subsequently been taken to prevent further privacy violations, the report said. KSFDC also informed the commission that the incident had occurred without its knowledge or consent. It had written to the ADGP of the cyber cell seeking registration of an FIR. According to the reports submitted to the commission, a case was registered at the cybercrime police station and the investigation was progressing. However, investigators had not yet established when the footage was leaked, who was responsible or how it was accessed and circulated. The cyber police inspector informed the commission that technical and legal investigations were under way to identify the accused.
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