CHENNAI: A CCTV operator on election duty recorded and shared footage from a high-security surveillance control room near a strong room housing electronic voting machines (EVMs) at Anna University here on Tuesday. He was arrested moments after the clipping surfaced on social media platforms, triggering an outcry.Yuvaraj of Thiruvarur district has been deployed by a private firm contracted to install and maintain CCTV systems at election counting centres. He was issued an identity card by district election authorities to monitor cameras on the Anna University campus, where EVMs from five assembly constituencies — T Nagar, Saidapet, Virugambakkam, Mylapore and Velachery — are stored.According to police, Yuvaraj entered the CCTV control room located near the strong room and recorded footage while watching a film on his laptop. He later uploaded footage in social media, along with visuals from inside the control room and his official identity card, claiming control over election surveillance operations.The breach was noticed by security personnel on the campus, who alerted the district election officer. Based on a complaint, Kotturpuram police registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and the Information Technology Act for unauthorised recording in a prohibited area and misuse of official access.Police arrested Yuvaraj and seized his mobile phone and laptop used in the act. During interrogation, he stated that he recorded and shared the content on social media while on duty.Officials said CCTV systems were installed at three counting centres — Anna University, Queen Mary’s College and Loyola College — with 540 cameras in total, including 180 at Anna University alone. Access to surveillance areas was restricted due to the presence of sealed EVMs.
