Secret filming of women in Bengaluru metro triggers outcry, voyeurism concerns

Police in Bengaluru moved swiftly, on Tuesday night, to address a shocking breach of privacy on the city’s Metro system, filing a case against an Instagram user accused of secretly filming women commuters. The action comes amid public outcry over the blatant voyeurism and lack of privacy in public spaces.

On Tuesday, Bengaluru residents began urging users to block and report Bangalore Metro Clicks (@metro_chicks), an Instagram account that featured secretly filmed videos of women on Metro trains without their consent. The account had amassed over 6,000 followers, while its linked Telegram channel, Speedy_Weedy123, attracted 1,188 subscribers. Following significant social media backlash, the Instagram page, which had hosted 13 videos with comments disabled, promptly deleted all its posts. The Telegram channel is currently unavailable. Many clips on the account carried captions such as “finding beautiful girls on Namma Metro,” depicting women being followed and recorded unknowingly. Police action was prompted after an X user flagged the account, tagging the Bengaluru police.


Reported cases of voyeurism on the rise: NCRB
As per the data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in 2023, reported cases of voyeurism in India increased to 1,451 in 2022 from 1,260 in 2020. 423 violations of privacy were reported across India in 2022, with Bengaluru recording the highest number of cases at 44. While the latest data is not yet available, sources imply that the numbers have only increased over the last year and a half.

What the law says: As per Section 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), any man who watches, or captures the image of a woman engaging in a private act in circumstances where she would usually have the expectation of not being observed either by the perpetrator or by any other person at the behest of the perpetrator or disseminates such image shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year, but which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine, and be punished on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Precautions against voyeurism: While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks, being aware and taking proactive steps can help protect your privacy:

1. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially in enclosed public spaces like restrooms, changing rooms, and public transport. Look for unusual objects, misplaced items, or suspicious individuals
2. Before using a public restroom or changing room, quickly scan for any hidden devices like mobile phones, small cameras, or unusual holes. Look behind mirrors, under sinks, and vents.
3. If you spot anything that makes you uncomfortable or seems out of place, report it immediately to the authorities
4. On public transport, be aware of people sitting or standing unusually close to you, especially if they are holding phones in an odd position.

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