Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have taken a 23-year-old man into custody for allegedly stealing women’s inner garments from residential premises and recording videos of himself wearing them, an incident that has triggered concern over privacy and safety in urban neighbourhoods.
The accused has been identified as Amul N G, a resident of Hebbagodi on the outskirts of Bengaluru. According to the police, the case came to light after a video allegedly showing the man wearing stolen women’s innerwear began circulating on online platforms. The disturbing visuals prompted the police to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiate an investigation earlier this week.
Video circulation alerts police
Senior police officials said the investigation was triggered after personnel monitoring social media platforms noticed one such video. The content raised immediate red flags, leading officers to register a suo motu case on Monday and begin tracing the individual featured in the footage.
“Based on the video that was circulating online, we registered a case and launched an enquiry. The suspect was identified and brought in for questioning,” a police officer said.
Following technical analysis and local verification, the police traced the accused to Hebbagodi. He was taken into custody for questioning, during which he is said to have confessed to the acts alleged against him.
Theft from residential terrace
According to investigators, Amul N G allegedly stole women’s inner garments that had been hung out to dry on the terrace of a residential building in Hebbagodi. Police said the accused took advantage of easy access to the building and the absence of residents on the terrace at the time.
After stealing the garments, the accused allegedly wore them and recorded videos of himself, which were later shared on online platforms. Police are currently examining whether the videos were shared on private groups or publicly accessible social media accounts.
Recovery of garments from accused’s house
A search conducted at the accused’s residence led to the recovery of several women’s inner garments. These were seized as material evidence and have been sent for further examination as part of the investigation.
“Multiple inner garments were recovered during the house search. These have been seized and documented as evidence,” an investigating officer said, adding that the police are verifying whether the garments belong to residents from the same locality or from other nearby areas.
The police are also looking into whether the accused acted alone or if anyone else was involved in recording or circulating the videos.
Legal action and investigation underway
While the police have not yet disclosed the specific sections under which the case has been registered, officials indicated that charges related to theft, voyeurism, obscenity and violation of privacy may be invoked based on the outcome of the investigation.
The accused remains in custody as further enquiries continue. Police said they are analysing the accused’s mobile phone and other electronic devices to determine the extent of video circulation and whether similar incidents occurred in the past.
Growing concern over privacy and safety
The incident has sparked concern among residents, particularly women, over privacy and safety in residential areas. Local residents said the case highlights the need for increased vigilance, better lighting in common areas and stronger security measures in apartment complexes and independent housing layouts.
Women’s rights activists pointed out that such incidents, though often dismissed as isolated acts, contribute to a broader climate of insecurity. “This is not just about theft. It is about violation of privacy and dignity. Strong and swift action is essential to send a clear message,” an activist said.
Context of similar incidents
The case comes amid growing public discourse in Bengaluru around harassment and inappropriate behaviour in public and semi-private spaces. Recently, a woman reported being subjected to obscene comments by a group of young boys while jogging in the Avalahalli forest area on the outskirts of the city. In a video shared online, she questioned whether women now needed to feel unsafe even around children.
She also addressed comments about her attire, stating that she was wearing standard workout clothing, including a sports bra and tank top, and stressed that there was nothing inappropriate about her outfit.
Conclusion
The arrest of the 23-year-old man for allegedly stealing women’s inner garments and filming videos of himself wearing them underscores the increasing role of social media monitoring in detecting offences. Bengaluru police officials have reiterated that online content will be closely watched and that any act violating privacy or dignity will invite strict legal action. As investigations continue, the case serves as a reminder of the need for collective vigilance and stronger safeguards to ensure safety and privacy in residential neighbourhoods.