Authorities in Sultanpur have sacked an assistant manager of the Purvanchal Expressway toll plaza for allegedly misusing CCTV footage to record and blackmail travellers, including a newlywed couple.
Allegations of Blackmail and Privacy Breach
A shocking case has emerged from Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur district, where an assistant manager of the Anti-Traffic Management System (ATMS) on the Purvanchal Expressway allegedly used CCTV cameras to record private moments of travellers and extort money. The accused, identified as Ashutosh Vishwas, was reportedly caught misusing surveillance footage to blackmail commuters and leak videos on social media.
According to complaints filed by local residents, Vishwas not only monitored expressway traffic but also extracted video clips of individuals engaged in private acts inside their vehicles. He allegedly used these recordings to threaten and extort them for money.
Complaint Reaches Chief Minister’s Office
The matter came to light after locals lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Minister’s Office on December 2, demanding action against the accused official. The complaint letter, along with several explicit video clips, surfaced on social media, sparking widespread outrage over the breach of public privacy on a government-controlled expressway.
Officials confirmed that the complaint prompted a swift investigation, leading to the termination of the assistant manager. Sources said Vishwas’s termination letter was issued retroactively, dated November 30, suggesting internal disciplinary action had begun even before the complaint became viral.
Newlywed Couple’s Video Among Leaked Clips
One of the most disturbing aspects of the case involved a newly married couple whose private video went viral online. The footage, captured from a CCTV camera at the toll plaza, showed the couple sharing a kiss inside their car. Investigators allege that Vishwas zoomed in on the CCTV feed to record the moment before leaking it.
Locals said that the official had developed a pattern of targeting couples and women using the expressway. In some cases, he allegedly recorded women from nearby villages during outdoor activities and later circulated the clips on social media.
Violation of Security and Public Trust
The scandal has raised serious concerns about the misuse of high-tech surveillance systems meant for traffic management and safety. The Purvanchal Expressway, one of Uttar Pradesh’s flagship infrastructure projects, is equipped with an advanced CCTV network under the ATMS to monitor traffic violations and ensure commuter safety.
Officials admitted that this incident represents a serious breach of protocol and public trust, prompting a review of operational security measures across all toll plazas. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is expected to introduce stricter monitoring protocols and privacy safeguards to prevent similar misuse in the future.
Public Outrage and Calls for Legal Action
The viral nature of the complaint and videos has drawn strong reactions from the public, with many demanding criminal proceedings against the accused. Activists have urged the state government to classify the offence under sections related to voyeurism, cybercrime, and criminal breach of trust.
Officials said the matter has been referred to the police for further investigation, and additional disciplinary measures may follow based on the findings. Meanwhile, the terminated manager remains under scrutiny as authorities assess the full extent of his misconduct and data breach.
