In a chilling breach of privacy, female students at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh have erupted in protest after discovering a hidden camera in hostel washroom. What began as an ordinary evening on Thursday quickly spiraled into chaos as the unsettling revelation sent shockwaves across the campus.
Right to Privacy which is an integral part of Article 21 is being violated in this case, the right to privacy is recognized by the Supreme Court in the case of K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India in 2017, even though the Right to privacy is not an absolute right it is essential to every one. The right is subject to be permitted by law. For eg. Telephone tapping would violate Article 21 unless permitted by the law.
The students, outraged and deeply distressed, mobilised immediately, chanting for justice and accountability. The protest began at 7 pm, with hundreds of students gathering, their cries for safety echoing through the night, refusing to relent until their concerns were addressed.
The hidden cameras exposed private images
As news spread, reports revealed the horrifying extent of the invasion. Over 300 explicit photos and videos, captured in the women’s hostel washroom, had allegedly been circulated among students in the boys’ hostel. Police quickly apprehended a final-year engineering student suspected of orchestrating the scheme, but the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine if others were involved.
Sources suggest that the disturbing footage was even sold to fellow students, sparking fears that more individuals may be implicated. For the female students at Gudlavalleru, this gross violation has left many uncomfortable and afraid to even use the washroom facilities. “We no longer feel safe,” one student voiced, echoing the collective sentiment of those affected.
The students’ protests have garnered national attention, with their demands for justice growing louder. Holding placards and chanting “We want justice,” they insist on immediate and decisive action from both college authorities and law enforcement. The outcry follows similar incidents across the country, highlighting a growing concern over privacy violations and campus safety.
Need for strict laws
Former police officer V.V. Lakshmi Narayana condemned the incident as “highly deplorable” and called for urgent action, noting that such breaches of privacy must be dealt with swiftly. He also stressed the need for new legislation regulating social media and digital platforms to prevent further violations.
This case isn’t an isolated one. Then again another hidden camera was found in the washroom of a popular coffee chain in Bengaluru, and national outrage over privacy violations is escalating. The protests at Gudlavalleru coincide with nationwide demonstrations following the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, underscoring a widespread demand for stronger protections for women’s safety.
The legal perspective
Other than the violation of Fundamental Rights there are violations in other statutes too such as- Information Technology Act, 2000 and The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The hidden camera incident at Gudlavalleru Engineering College constitutes a serious violation of privacy and can be prosecuted under multiple laws in India. The Information Technology Act, 2000, particularly Section 66E, criminalises the capture, publication, or transmission of private images without consent, which can lead to imprisonment and fines.
The hidden cameras violate Section 77 of BNS(Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita), this section criminalizes the watching, capturing, and dissemination of private images of women without their consent. This Case also falls under Voyeurism, this means the act of secretly observing or recording individuals in a private space. This criminal offence is punishable under Section 354C IPC(Indian Penal Code) now in BNS as this case is after the 2023 act.
There is a need of Social Media regulation a strict rule to not make these scenarios to not occur specially in places such as hostels where the girls need to feel safe as this is considered as another home for them.
Conclusion
The hidden camera scandal at Gudlavalleru Engineering College is a reminder of the urgent need for stricter privacy protections and accountability in cases of digital exploitation. As female students demand justice and safety, the incident highlights the growing concerns over campus security and the misuse of technology to violate personal boundaries. This case, with similar incidents across the country, calls for stronger laws and swift action to ensure such violations are not only punished but prevented, ensuring that students can feel safe in their own spaces.
The Demand of Change!
As the investigation continues, students and advocates are demanding swift justice and increased security measures to protect students on campus. The outrage sparked by this incident has fuelled a broader conversation about privacy, the need for stronger laws, and accountability in cases of digital exploitation.
The question remains: will justice be served, and will this incident finally be the wake-up call that prompts meaningful change to protect women’s safety and privacy in India?
Published on September 21, 2024
Drafted by: Shreyashi Chaudhary, 3rd Year B.B.A. LL.B., Symbiosis Law School