Delhi High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Secret Filming Of DU Women Students In Washroom During IIT Delhi Fest

The Delhi High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a recent incident wherein various women students of Delhi University’s Bharati College were “secretly filmed” in the washroom while they were changing costumes during the “Rendezvous” fest organized by Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula took suo motu cognizance of the issue of “security breaches” particularly in respect of female attendees at various fests organized by colleges or universities in the Delhi-NCR region.

The court took note of a newspaper article published in the Indian Express on October 09 titled “Harassment at college fests leaves students anguished, shaken.”

The incident of secret filming happened on October 06. From the CCTV footage, the individual responsible was identified to be a part of IIT Delhi’s housekeeping staff.

“This episode has left the victims distraught, and has understandably raised concerns regarding misuse of the videos, including their circulation on various social media platform,” the bench said.

The court also referred to its earlier order wherein it was observed that there is a need for active collaboration between the University and Police to bolster security measures during college fests.

“In our opinion, it is imperative that adequate security measures are put in place, allowing the students to attend such events without any impending fear of experiencing such acts of violation. Thus, in view of the afore-noted episode, this Court deems it appropriate to take suo motu cognizance of the issue of security breaches, particularly in respect of female attendees, at the festivals organized by colleges/ universities in Delhi-NCR,” the court said.

The bench was informed by the Delhi Police’s counsel that a case has been registered under Section 354C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and that the accused is currently in judicial custody.

The court issued notice to the Delhi University, IIT-Delhi and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. It also granted two weeks’ time to the Delhi Police for filing a status report detailing the action taken against the accused in the matter.

The court also directed the varsities to submit a report indicating their existing policy qua security measures during college festivals held at their premises.

“The Investigating Officer [“IO”] of the case at hand shall exercise utmost discretion during investigation and ensure anonymity of the women involved. Prompt steps shall be taken to prevent dissemination of photographs clicked / videos recorded by the accused. In the event such media is circulated on any of the social media platforms, the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police as well as the IO are directed to undertake immediate steps for their take-down, in accordance with law,” the court said.