In a disturbing incident, three students from Udupi Medical College are accused of secretly filming their fellow classmate inside a washroom, raising serious concerns about privacy and security. The Udupi Police, taking swift action, have already initiated two separate suo motu cases to address the matter. Here is an explainer detailing the entire progression of the case.
Source: News18
Explained
On Wednesday, the police took action by registering a First Information Report (FIR) against three students and the management of a private paramedical college in Udupi. The FIR was filed in response to a disturbing incident involving a restroom video. The authorities are now investigating the matter, seeking to address the issue with utmost seriousness.
In a recent development, the Malpe police have taken action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Shabnaz, Alfia, Aleema, and the institute. The FIR was lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, including 509, 204, 175, 34, and 66(E). These charges stem from alleged offenses such as insulting the modesty of a woman, destruction of evidence, failure to produce documents to a public servant, acts done with common intention, and violation of privacy laws.
Source: LatestLy
The incident took place at Netra Jyothi Institute of Allied Health Sciences involving three second-year optometry students, all of whom are Muslims. On July 18, these students recorded a video of one of their classmates, a Hindu student, while she was in the washroom. The victim later confided in her friends about the incident, and they promptly reported it to the college management. Subsequently, the college management informed the police and handed over the phone used to record the video to the officials.
On July 18, between 2:30 and 3:00 pm, Student ‘A’, a second-year diploma student in the Operation Theatre course, entered the college washroom. Meanwhile, her friends Alfiya, Aleema, and Shabnaaz, who are also second-year Diploma students, were attempting to record a video of A. However, they mistakenly ended up recording Student ‘B’, another second-year diploma student in the Operation Theatre program. Upon realizing the error, Student ‘B’ was present, and the video was promptly deleted, and an apology was offered. Following the incident, on July 19, the college management confiscated three mobile phones as reported in the FIR.
Source: Unique News Online
According to the FIR, the college management conducted a press conference on July 25, during which they revealed that the three students involved had admitted to recording the video. As a consequence, the authorities took immediate action and suspended the students from the institute.
Following the incident, right-wing groups alleged that the suspended Muslim students resorted to using hidden cameras to capture private videos of Hindu girls, purportedly intending to disseminate them among Muslim men as part of a “Jihadi conspiracy,” taking a communal turn. Nevertheless, the Udupi police forcefully refuted these assertions. Addressing the escalating misinformation and rumors circulating on social media, Udupi superintendent of police Akshay Machhindra emphasized that no evidence supports the presence of hidden cameras in the case at hand.
Source: The South First
Khushbu Sundar, a BJP leader and member of the National Commission for Women, expressed deep concern over the incident in Udupi where female college students were filmed in a washroom by their fellow classmates. She stated that it is disheartening to witness such behavior among young individuals. In her capacity as an NCW member, she announced her intention to personally investigate the matter. Her plans included engaging in conversations with the students involved, meeting with the local authorities, and visiting the college campus. She emphasized that the dignity of women is non-negotiable, and nobody should be allowed to engage in such actions that violate it.
Home Minister G Parameshwara strongly criticized the Opposition for engaging in petty politics regarding the incident. He pointed out that there is a principal and a management committee in place, yet no formal complaint has been filed. The Home Minister urged the BIP to refrain from politicizing the matter, highlighting that similar incidents have occurred in the past, and it is essential to avoid indulging in such trivial political tactics.
