A student of a Vikhroli-based college was shocked to find a cellphone with the video-recording feature on in the girls' washroom on the first floor. It was later found that the phone belonged to a peon
Accused Vijay Shivtare. Pic/Rajesh Gupta
ADVERTISEMENT
A second year Bachelor of Management Studies student of a Vikhroli-based college was shocked to find a cellphone with the video-recording feature on in the girls' washroom on the first floor on Wednesday. She immediately informed her class teacher, who told the principal. It was later found that the phone belonged to a peon.
After being informed by the college management, the police reached the spot and arrested the accused, identified as Vijay Shivtare, 29.
Also read - Mumbai Crime: Peeping Tom held for clicking woman trying on swimsuit
According to the police, after the incident, the principal called the peon and questioned him. When asked about his phone, Shivtare said he had put it on charging.
Also read - Mumbai: Fear of Peeping Toms keeps girls from using school toilet
When the phone was shown to him, he accepted that it was his and that he had kept it in the washroom by mistake. Thereafter, he was handed over to the police.
Also read - Peeping Tom: Man arrested for setting up mobile in women's washroom in Thane
His interrogation revealed that the accused had kept the phone in the washroom just half an hour before the girl entered. The police are trying to find out whether he has done this for the first time. When contacted, an official from the college management said, "The peon has been working here for the past six years; we have never received such a complaint against him. After it came to our notice, we contacted the police for further action." Speaking to mid-day, Sachin Patil, DCP, zone VII, said, "The accused has been arrested under section 354C (voyeurism) of the IPC and section 66E of the IT Act. Further investigation in the matter is on."