Horrific Incident at Bengaluru Cafe: Hidden Camera Found in Women's Washroom

Bengaluru: In a deeply unsettling incident at the Third Wave Coffee cafe in Bengaluru, a woman discovered a hidden camera in the women’s washroom, leading to immediate police involvement and significant public outcry. The horrifying event was shared on social media, drawing attention and prompting a swift response from the café and law enforcement.

Reminder that women are not safe ANYWHERE 🙂🙂🙂 pic.twitter.com/ha4KtztL0w

— Shasvathi Siva (@shasvathi) August 10, 2024

Discovery of the Hidden Camera

The disturbing situation came to light when a woman, an eyewitness to the incident, posted about it on Instagram stories. Her account detailed the grim discovery made by another customer at the cafe. According to the post, the camera was cleverly concealed inside a dustbin in the women’s washroom. The mobile phone, which was recording video, was placed in the dustbin bag with a hole made specifically to expose only the camera lens. The device was found to have been recording for approximately two hours, directed at the toilet seat, and was set to flight mode to avoid detection through sound.

The post described the mobile phone’s discovery as a horrifying breach of privacy. “It was hidden in the dustbin, with video recording on for about 2 hours, facing the toilet seat. It was on flight mode so that it makes no sound, and was carefully hidden in the dustbin bag which had a hole made in it so that only the camera is exposed,” the woman wrote. The gravity of the situation prompted immediate action.

Immediate Response and Investigation

The phone was quickly traced back to an employee of the café. The authorities were notified promptly, and the police arrived at the scene to handle the situation. The café management acted swiftly, taking decisive steps to address the breach of privacy and ensure the safety of their patrons.

In a statement shared with Hindustan Times, Basundhara Ghosh, who administered the social media handle that reshared the Instagram story, confirmed that appropriate legal actions had been taken. “The safety and well-being of our customers is always our priority. With regards to the isolated incident that occurred at BEL Road Cafe on August 10, the person under question has been immediately terminated. We have a stringent zero tolerance policy and have initiated necessary legal action against him. We will work closely with the concerned authorities for appropriate action,” the statement read.

Public Reaction and Precautions

The incident has generated a significant response on social media, with many expressing their shock and outrage. The woman who first reported the incident called for heightened vigilance and awareness, urging others to be cautious in public restrooms regardless of the establishment’s reputation. “This was so horrific to witness. I will be vigilant at any washroom I use from now on, no matter how well-known the chain of café or restaurant is. And I request all of you to do the same. This is absolutely disgusting,” she added in her post.

The café’s prompt action in terminating the employee and cooperating with law enforcement is a crucial step in addressing the issue. However, the incident highlights an ongoing need for stringent measures to safeguard public spaces and ensure the safety and privacy of individuals.

Conclusion

This unsettling incident underscores the importance of maintaining strict surveillance and security measures within public and private establishments. While the immediate actions taken by the café and the police are commendable, it also serves as a stark reminder for all to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding personal privacy.