Clinic spycam racket: Second accused arrested, 10 more yet to be traced

Rajkot: Rajkot City Cybercrime police have made a second arrest in the extortion case involving a spy camera hidden in a clinic's bulb holder, part of a plot to extort Rs 25 lakh from a 49-year-old BAMS practitioner.The accused, Ajaysinh Chudasama (32), said to have links with the newspaper business, was arrested on Tuesday. The case had surfaced on March 21 with the arrest of BHMS practitioner Kamal Nandha, who allegedly installed the spy camera at a clinic on Sadhu Vasvani Road to record private moments. Around 10 others suspected to be part of the racket are yet to be tracedPolice said Nandha knew the complainant, an ayurveda practitioner running multiple clinics, and often referred patients there, giving him access to the premises. The complainant had allowed a woman acquaintance to operate from his second clinic. Investigators said Nandha, suspecting a relationship between the two, installed a hidden camera inside a lamp holder in the examination room.The device captured private moments and footage of patients being examined. Police estimate that between 2023 and mid-2024, around 3,000 to 4,000 clips were recorded. They suspect Nandha acted out of infatuation and installed the camera to confirm his suspicions.ACP Chintan Patel said the probe revealed that after obtaining the footage, Nandha contacted Chudasama, who introduced him to his associate Hiren Makwana, now in the transport business. The group, including Hardik Dodiya, allegedly conspired to extort the BAMS practitioner, with Hiren Makwana personally conveying the demand for Rs 25 lakh. In June 2024, the complainant reportedly paid Rs 50,000 under pressure before approaching the police.Chudasama's mobile phone has been seized. Police said he earlier operated a social media channel. Preliminary investigation revealed he has a criminal record, including cases of assault and offences under the Prohibition Act and the Arms Act..