Two arrested, Hyderabad college principal among 7 booked after female students accuse staff of filming in washrooms

NEW DELHI: At least two individuals were arrested and the principal booked on Sunday after female students of a private engineering college in Medchal, near Hyderabad accused kitchen staff of filming them in hostel washrooms.

Following student protests on January 1 and 2, authorities filed a case against seven individuals, including the arrestees, principal, director and chairman of the institution, PTI reported.



Students' complaints led to a case registration at Medchal police station, incorporating charges of voyeurism, abetment and relevant IPC sections, along with the POCSO Act.

Police detained two 20-year-old suspects accused of spying on students in washrooms. One suspect worked as a kitchen assistant, and both were remanded to judicial custody on Saturday.

The Cyberabad Police Commissionerate confirmed that the accused specifically targeted female hostel residents whilst using washrooms.

Police reported that the suspects' accommodation near the girls' hostel washrooms facilitated their access, endangering the privacy and security of underage victims.

According to authorities, hostel wardens acted negligently when victims reported the incidents, avoiding notification to police and parents.

Police stated that the institution's leadership pressured wardens to suppress the incident to safeguard the college's image, whilst failing to alert proper authorities, which enabled the accused to continue their activities.
The investigation continues.