Gudlavalleru College protests: Lokesh says no hidden cameras found, calls allegations ‘fake news’

Vijayawada: Two days after protests rocked the Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru College of Engineering after allegations of hidden cameras placed in the girls’ hostel washroom surfaced, minister Nara Lokesh stated that they did not find any hidden cameras in the hostel and called the issue a ‘personal dispute’ which was sensationalised.

“No hidden cameras or videos discovered at the girls’ hostel. Don’t sensationalise the issue without evidence. In the entire episode, fake news was peddled and it was a conspiracy to disturb law and order. It was a personal dispute among four students,” stated IT minister Lokesh.

Speaking to the media, Nara Lokesh stated that the Opposition party is spreading fake news.

“The so-called blue media has no work but to just sensationalise fake news. Since I am the Human Resources Development and IT minister the focus is on me. The focus is not the issue but people should talk about facts,” said Lokesh.

On Thursday night, hundreds of students protested at the college campus alleging that hidden cameras were placed in the girls’ hostel washroom. Students alleged that around 300 videos were reportedly recorded and sold to the students in the boys’ hostel.

Final engineering student detained

Police immediately questioned a final-year engineering student who is suspected to be responsible for this incident, seized his mobile phone and laptop and have been questioning him.

Knowing about the incident, chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry into the issue. Circle Inspector of Gudivada crime police station Ramanamma has been appointed as the Special Investigative Officer, for the special team formed to investigate the case.

However, the police couldn’t find any evidence during the searches at the hostel.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media, CM Chandrababu Naidu said that investigation in this incident is still on, and if there is any evidence found, the culprits will not be spared. “We will make sure women in this state are safe,” he said.