CMR College privacy breach: Staff, management booked; 2 youths held for spying on girls

Hyderabad: Following a massive protest by the students of CMR College in Medchal after it was found that female students were being spied upon in college hostel bathrooms, the police have booked the principal, director, chairman and two hostel wardens of the college.

Two persons accused of violating the privacy of the students have been arrested. The college staff and management have been accused of abetting the actions of the two youths.

Based on the complaint of the CMR College students, the SHO of Medchal PS registered a case under sections 77 and 125 of BNS. The case is still under investigation.

Details of the accused

The primary accused have been identified as Nanda Kishore Kumar (A1) and Govind Kumar (A2). Both are 20 years old and natives of Bihar.

The college staff and management, named as accused in the case, are hostel wardens KV Dhanalaxmi and Allam Preethi Reddy, principal of CMR College Varahabatla Anantha Narayana, director Madireddy Janga Reddy and chairman Chamakura Gopal Reddy.

Case details

The police said that Nanda Kishore Kumar and Govind Kumar have confessed to spying and watching the students inside the washrooms in the girls’ hostel.

When the girl students found that their privacy was being violated, they complained to the CMR girls’ hostel wardens Dhanalaxmi and Preethi Reddy. However, they did not inform the police or the parents intentionally to avoid escalation. They even tried to suppress the issue and blamed the victims by making derogatory comments and insulting the modesty of victims, the police said.

The police said that Anantha Narayana, Janga Reddy and Chamakura Gopal Reddy pressured the wardens to contain exposure of the incident to protect the college's reputation but did not show interest in reporting the incident to the officials. The police said the management’s action emboldened and abetted the accused to continue their voyeurism.

The police said the management and the staff were also responsible for providing accommodation to the two accused near the girls’ hostel washrooms giving them easy access to continue their crimes, proving to be a serious threat to the privacy and safety of the minor girl students.

Nanda Kishore Kumar and Govind Kumar confessed they were guilty of the offences and were sent to judicial custody on Saturday. Criminal cases have been booked against the college staff and management involved.

Public advisory

Any girl or woman who finds themselves in danger or need of help can dial 100. They can also reach out to the Cyberabad WhatsApp number 9490617444. The police will reach the spot within no time, the police said.