Patna district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agrawal on Sunday passed an order banning closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in trial or changing rooms of malls.

The order was passed to ensure the safety and privacy of women.

Agrawal, in his order, said: "It has been found (in other states) that CCTV footage of girls and women trying out clothes had later been used in blackmailing them. To prevent any such incident, this decision has been taken."

The DM said: "Though there were no specific complaints about cameras being hidden inside trial rooms in the city's malls, we have banned cameras as a proactive measure."

Agrawal said officers will be deputed for continuous monitoring of the hidden cameras.

Vijay Nath Mishra, general manager, P&M Mall, said: "The district administration has initiated a good move. This will help in privacy of customers, particularly women. Though there are lots of CCTVs in malls, we have not allowed those in trial rooms."

Another mall owner, preferring anonymity, said: "We appreciate the administration's move, as it is concerns the privacy of a woman."

Neha Amar, an employee of IDBI said: "Though I have never come across any hidden camera at any branded outlet, there are possibilities it could be hidden somewhere and is not visible. So, we take precautions while going to changing rooms for trial."

"All big malls and showrooms have been directed to file affidavits within 15 days, stating that no CCTV camera was installed in the trial rooms of their outlets," said Agrawal.

A team of officials has been formed in this regard. It would visit different malls to investigate whether the order was being complied with or not, said Agrawal.

He added: "Strict action would be taken against those flouting the order. Installing CCTV cameras in trial rooms is an offence and FIRs would be lodged against those violating the rule."

An appeal has also been issued to the public to inform the nearest police station or district control room in case they feel suspicious about CCTV cameras being installed in trial rooms of malls or have seen them personally so that action against the concerned violator could be initiated.

The people have also been advised to click a photo or shoot a video with their mobiles depicting CCTV cameras in trial rooms.

Hansa Sinha, the owner of a private consultancy firm, said: "It's good that the administration has issued such a directive. Whenever I go to any showroom or local shop, I always double-check the changing rooms. But in malls, we don't even bother, thinking that store owners will have all security measures in place."

The issue became a talking point when in 2015, Union human resource development minister Smriti Irani lodged a complaint against a FabIndia outlet in Goa, when she spotted a CCTV camera pointing towards the trial room while trying out clothes.

While the episode shocked everyone, it also brought into focus the privacy and safety of shoppers.