Bengaluru: A 23-year-old software engineer working at a private firm has alleged that she was secretly filmed while bathing at her residence in the Mahadevapura area of Bengaluru on the night of April 29.
Based on the complaint filed by the woman, Mahadevapura Police Station arrested her neighbour, Karthik, after allegedly finding the video on his mobile phone. The accused has since been remanded to judicial custody.
According to police, the accused is a native of Tamil Nadu and is employed at a private company in Bengaluru.
Incident occurred while woman was bathing
In her complaint, the woman stated that the incident took place between 9:30 pm and 9:40 pm at her residence in Garudacharpalya.
She alleged that while she was bathing, she noticed an unidentified person recording her using a mobile phone. Shocked by the incident, she immediately screamed for help.
According to the complaint, the mobile phone was quickly moved away from her sight immediately after she raised an alarm, leading her to suspect that someone had secretly filmed her without consent.
The woman later approached the Mahadevapura police station and filed a formal complaint the following day.
Victim feared circulation of video
Police said the complainant expressed serious concern that the recorded video could be circulated online or uploaded on social media platforms.
Investigators subsequently traced the accused neighbour and examined his mobile phone during the inquiry.
According to police officials, one video related to the incident was allegedly found stored on the accused’s mobile device.
Authorities stated that no additional similar videos were reportedly discovered during the initial examination of the phone.
Case registered under BNS provisions
Police registered a case against the accused under Sections 77 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Section 77 relates to voyeurism, while Section 79 pertains to words, gestures, or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
Following the registration of the case, police arrested Karthik and produced him before a court, which later remanded him to judicial custody pending further investigation.
Police continue investigation
Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and that police are examining whether the accused shared or attempted to circulate the video through any digital platform or messaging application.
Cyber and forensic examination of the seized mobile phone may also be conducted as part of the inquiry.
Police reiterated that recording or sharing private images or videos without consent is a serious criminal offence punishable under law.
Concerns over privacy and women’s safety
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns regarding privacy violations and crimes targeting women in urban residential areas.
Legal experts note that voyeurism and unauthorised recording of private acts are considered grave offences under Indian law, especially when they involve invasion of personal privacy and potential online circulation.
Authorities have urged women facing similar incidents to approach the police immediately and report such offences without hesitation.
Police also advised residents to remain alert and ensure adequate privacy measures in residential spaces, particularly in densely populated urban neighbourhoods.
Further investigation into the case is underway.