Secretly filmed in washroom during IIT Delhi fest, allege DU college students; sweeper arrested, say police

On Saturday, DCP (West) Manoj C on Saturday said a 20-year-old contractual sweeper has been arrested in the case. IIT-Delhi also said the accused was handed over to police.

“Today, a complaint was received through ‘X’ at Kishangarh police station regarding a video being filmed inside the women’s washroom at IIT-Delhi by a man. In this regard, a case under IPC Section 354 was registered today and the accused, a contractual sweeper, has been arrested and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is under progress,” said the DCP.

On Saturday afternoon, IIT-Delhi issued a statement and said, “The accused, in an unfortunate and regrettable incident dated October 6, was immediately handed over to the Delhi Police which is investigating the matter. He was identified as an employee of an agency to which housekeeping services have been outsourced.”

The institute added that it “treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and urgency it deserved. The Institute is fully cooperating with the police and has a zero-tolerance policy for any such instances. The institute has also strengthened existing measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for all students and visitors at the fest.”

Newly elected Delhi University Students’ Union President Tushar Dedha Saturday wrote to the SHO of Kishangarh police station requesting “urgent action in the tragic incident”.

In his letter, Dedha said, “The students claimed that someone… made a private video of them while changing clothes… I ask for strict and immediate action, putting a jammer to stop the video from spreading… forcing the IIT Delhi administration to identify… and take immediate strict action against him/them.”

Similar incidents of sexual harassment were reported at Delhi University colleges over the past few years. In March, students of Indraprastha College for Women had alleged that several men scaled the boundary walls of the college during a two-day fest and harassed several women students. A similar incident was reported during an event at Miranda House College last year in October.