Videos and photos of women bathing and changing clothes at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj have surfaced on social media and Telegram, sparking outrage and concern. These images, taken secretly from various angles, were not only shared without consent but were also used to lure more explicit content seekers.
The investigation by India Today Fact Check revealed that many of these videos were shared across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, often with captions like “Maha Kumbh Ganga Snan Prayagraj.” These posts directed users to Telegram, where access to private groups containing such content was being sold for prices ranging from Rs 1,999 to Rs 3,000. Some of these groups have names like “Ganga River Open Bathing Group” and “Hidden Bath Videos Group.”
One disturbing example included a video of a woman bathing in the river, unaware she was being filmed, with the videographer zooming in on her exposed body. This was just one instance among many similar recordings shared on platforms catering to those seeking voyeuristic material.
While some of the content being circulated was not from the current Maha Kumbh, but older footage, it was still marketed as part of the ongoing festival, with trending hashtags like #mahakumbh2025 and #gangasnan.
In addition to these disturbing videos of women bathing, certain Telegram channels also offered CCTV footage of women undergoing medical examinations, which included intimate moments.
Several of these Telegram channels were deleted.
