Gudlavalleru Engineering College hidden camera scandal has created outrage among students.
In a disturbing incident that triggered all-night protests at an engineering college in Andhra Pradesh, a hidden camera was allegedly discovered inside the women's hostel toilet. The camera had been secretly recording videos of students, which were leaked and sold by a senior of the same college, claim students.
The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered an inquiry into the incident at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishnan district, where hundreds of students protested through the night chanting, "We want justice".
"I have ordered an inquiry on the hidden cameras allegations. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits and people responsible. I directed officials to ensure that these kinds of incidents do not recur in colleges," said Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh in a post on X.
A group of female students allegedly stumbled upon the concealed camera in their toilet last evening, setting off immediate alarm and distress. The discovery led to a chaotic scene as students organised a protest that began around 7 pm and continued till this morning.
The police arrested a senior student from the boys' hostel in connection with the incident. His laptop and mobile was seized, but no leaked videos have been found yet.
"We did not find any cameras hidden in the girl's hostel during our probe. We searched the suspected student laptops, mobile phones and other devices in front of the students and college staff. No videos were found. Girl Students need not worry," Krishna District SP Gandadhar Rao said. He said that further investigation was on.
The alleged presence of a hidden camera and the possible leak of video clips have left many female students shaken. Many have expressed fear and discomfort about using the washroom facilities, with some even avoiding the area altogether.
Earlier this month, customers at a famous coffee shop in Bengaluru had discovered a phone hidden in the women's washroom dustbin to record videos. The incident was brought to light by a content creator who said found the camera in the bag which had a hole in it and was constantly recording a video.