Man arrested for uploading videos and photos of women in Bengaluru Metro on Instagram
The account which had over 5,000 followers came under the police’s scanner after a user flagged it on X
Amid a major social media backlash over photos and videos of women travelling in Bengaluru Metro being uploaded on Instagram without their consent, the owner of the handle was reportedly arrested on Friday (May 23).
According to a report by NDTV, the man who owned the Instagram handle named (@metro_chicks) is currently being interrogated.
Flagged on X
The account which had over 5,000 followers came under the police’s scanner after a user flagged it on X, tagging the Bengaluru police and urging them to take action.
“Here is a pervert travelling in Bengaluru metro trains and capturing videos of women secretly and sharing on Instagram. Please find him and punish him!!” stated the user on X while sharing a link to the Instagram page.
“This is very creepy and dangerous for all women travellers. Please amplify so that he is punished soon,” added the user.
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Police files FIR
The reply to the post came from Bengaluru DCP South’s X account stating that an FIR had been lodged and an investigation was on.
“An FIR has been booked in this regard at Banashankari PS and an investigation is being taken up,” stated Bengaluru DCP South.
"Concerning a certain Instagram page that uploaded videos and photos of women travellers using Bengaluru metro without their knowledge and consent, a case of voyeurism under the Information Technology Act has been registered at Banashankari police station," said DCP South Lokesh B Jagalasar quoted by PTI.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had also said that it would file a police complaint over the incident.
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‘Followers should be arrested’
Netizens were outraged over the fact that such a page had gained over 5,000 followers with one adding that people who liked the account should also be arrested.
Another user demanded that all the followers of the page be exposed and made to face the law.
The incident also drew severe condemnation from senior BJP leader PC Mohan who termed it a “serious crime” violating the dignity and privacy of women.
The photos and videos from the account have been deleted and the Telegram channel linked with it has also been removed.