Bhubaneswar: Concerns are now being raised over privacy at hotels after two employees of a hotel based in Bhubaneswar were arrested for blackmailing a girl by allegedly recording her obscene video.
As per reports, the girl had visited a reputed hotel (Oyo room) at Nayapalli area for a birthday party with some of her friends. The girl alleged that after capturing some obscene videos through secret cameras, some miscreants started blackmailing her and demanded Rs 50,000. Moreover, the blackmailers threatened to circulate and upload the video on social media if she did not pay them the money.
“I had gone to celebrate a birthday in the hotel. Later, I started getting calls from several unknown numbers demanding money. The callers threatened to make some video viral,” said the victim.
With no other option, the girl then brought the matter to the notice of her friends, who then set a trap to nab the blackmailers. As per plan, the blackmailers were asked to come to a specific place to collect the money. Later, the girl realised that the blackmailers were the hotel employees and subsequently lodged a police complaint.
Based on the complaint filed by the victim, Commissionerate Police on Friday arrested two employees of the hotel.
“Only after police launched a probe, we came to know about the incident. We have no idea how the video was shot and who did it. We had outsourced the work to private agencies and their employees were involved in this,” said Satya, an official of the hotel.
"We have arrested two persons based on the complaint and further probe is underway," said Additional DCP, Rajkishore Paikaray.
Later, a spokesperson of Oyo Hotels and Homes refuted the allegations and clarified, "There are no secret cameras inside the hotel. The concerned employees have been suspended and we will cooperate in the police investigation. We are committed towards safety and security of our guests."