Hyderabad: The Medchal police on Thursday registered a case against CMR Engineering College, Medchal, following a protest by girl students of the college alleging that they were secretly filmed in the hostel washrooms.
According to Medchal ACP B. Srinivas Reddy, a case has been registered under Sections 77 (voyeurism) and 125 (endangering personal safety or life of others) of the BNS. “We have taken five suspects into custody and seized 11 mobile phones. However, no incriminating material has been recovered from any of the mobile phones. For now, the matter is under investigation.”
While four suspects from the hostel mess were taken into custody on Wednesday night, hostel warden Preethi Reddy was taken into custody on Thursday. She was reportedly also suspended by the management of the hostel.
According to the Medchal police, a female student went into the bathroom to take a bath on Wednesday morning, when she noticed the shadow of a phone recording her through the window. She immediately stepped out and informed other students about it. However, on stepping out, no mobile phone or person was spotted near the window. Media reports also showed visuals of hand imprints near the ventilator of the washroom.
The first protest erupted on Wednesday evening, with members of the ABVP joining the students and continued until Thursday evening, with more student unions joining the protestors in the evening.
Meanwhile, the State Women’s Commission issued a notice to the Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, urging swift action and demanding an action taken report, following the incident gaining traction.
The incident gained major traction following a post by the college’s unofficial Instagram post that alleged that nearly 300 videos of the female students in their washrooms were recovered. The post also alleged that the college management is trying to suppress the matter. They further alleged that the telecom signals were jammed by the college as a move to not let the matter out.
However, this is not the first time tension gripped in the college. The college has had a history of students suicides and the existing students protesting against extravagant tuition fees being charged by the college.
