A former IIT Bombay student was detained after allegedly recording videos outside a boys’ hostel washroom. The case has sparked outrage and renewed debate on campus privacy and security.
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Ex-IIT Bombay Alumnus Accused of Secretly Filming Students at Hostel Washroom | IIT Bombay Privacy Scandal
Mumbai, October 2025 — A Breach of Trust at One of India’s Top Institutes
An unsettling privacy breach has jolted the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), one of the nation’s most prestigious engineering campuses. A former MTech student has been accused of secretly recording videos outside a boys’ hostel washroom — an act that has raised serious questions about safety, access control, and accountability within the institution’s residential facilities.
The incident occurred on October 12 inside Hostel No. 14 at the Powai campus. The accused, an IIT Bombay alumnus who completed his postgraduate degree earlier this year, allegedly used his alumni identity card to enter the premises and was later found behaving suspiciously near the washroom area.
Caught in the Act
According to several hostel residents, the man was seen holding up his phone near the washroom entrance while a student was inside. When confronted, he reportedly tried to flee but was caught by vigilant hostel mates and handed over to the institute’s security personnel.
The students claim that when the suspect’s mobile phone was checked, dozens of video clips were found, many of which appeared to have been taken in similar circumstances — apparently involving unsuspecting individuals using the hostel’s washrooms.
One student told reporters, “We had seen him around several times, assuming he was a regular visitor. Only later did we realise what he was doing here so frequently.”
How He Gained Access
The man allegedly entered the campus using his valid alumni identification card, which permitted him to pass through the main gate without much scrutiny. Sources say he had been visiting the hostel often, citing reasons such as meeting old friends and attending informal gatherings.
His familiarity with the premises, combined with the security team’s assumption that he was a harmless former student, allowed him to move about freely — a loophole that has now triggered widespread concern.
Institute and Police Action
After students detained the individual, IIT Bombay’s security staff escorted him to the Powai Police Station for further questioning. A spokesperson from the institute later confirmed the incident, saying:
“As soon as the matter was reported, our security team intervened and handed over the person to the police. The investigation is ongoing.”
Initially, confusion arose when the institute stated that the man was not a registered student. However, internal sources later verified that he had indeed completed his MTech from IIT Bombay earlier in the year.
The Powai Police have booked the accused under Section 66(E) of the Information Technology Act, which penalises the intentional capture or transmission of images of a private area without consent. While he has not yet been arrested, his electronic devices have been seized for forensic examination.
Students Express Anger and Anxiety
News of the incident spread quickly across the campus, prompting widespread outrage among current students. Many said they felt unsafe and betrayed that such a violation could occur in what was supposed to be a secure environment.
“I feel deeply uncomfortable knowing that someone could record us without our knowledge inside our own hostel,” said a student resident, requesting anonymity. “The administration must take accountability and ensure this never happens again.”
Several students have demanded a formal statement from the administration detailing what immediate actions will be taken to strengthen surveillance, visitor monitoring, and digital evidence handling.
Privacy and Security Concerns on Campus
The episode has ignited a larger conversation about privacy and safety in educational institutions. Hostels across IIT campuses are considered semi-private spaces, often shielded from strict visitor scrutiny to preserve student freedom. However, that same freedom can sometimes be exploited, as this incident demonstrates.
Cyber-law experts note that while Section 66(E) allows prosecution for non-consensual filming, the punishment—imprisonment of up to three years—is relatively mild. As a result, many such cases end in delayed or partial justice unless educational institutions pursue them aggressively.
Legal Perspective
Advocate Meera Kulkarni, a Mumbai-based technology law expert, explained:
“Voyeurism on digital devices is a serious breach of personal autonomy. Even if the videos are not shared online, the act of recording without consent itself constitutes a punishable offence. Institutions must treat such incidents as criminal intrusions, not internal matters.”
Police officials confirmed that a forensic audit is underway to determine whether any of the videos were uploaded or shared via messaging platforms. The results of that examination will decide if additional charges under the Indian Penal Code or other sections of the IT Act can be invoked.
How IIT Bombay Is Responding
Following the uproar, IIT Bombay has reportedly begun reviewing its visitor pass and hostel entry protocols. While the institute has not released a public statement outlining new measures, insiders mention possible upgrades including biometric access for hostel buildings, restricted alumni entry hours, and improved CCTV surveillance around common washroom corridors.
An administrative officer speaking on background said,
“Our priority is student safety. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and simultaneously auditing our security procedures. The incident is deeply regrettable.”
Larger Implications for Campus Culture
The event has also opened discussions about how institutions handle allegations of sexual harassment and privacy invasion among men, which are often under-reported. Student groups on campus have urged IIT Bombay’s gender-cell and grievance committees to treat the matter with the same seriousness afforded to any gender-based privacy violation.
Campus psychologists say incidents like this can have lasting emotional effects. “Even though the victims may not be identified individually, the collective anxiety and sense of violation can affect the mental health of an entire community,” said Dr. Radhika Iyer, a counselor who works with university students in Mumbai.
Past Incidents and the Pattern of Voyeurism in Institutions
Unfortunately, this is not the first time voyeurism has surfaced on an Indian campus. In previous years, cases at universities in Varanasi, Hyderabad, and Delhi have revealed similar lapses where hidden cameras or unauthorized filming went unnoticed until students themselves intervened.
In most such instances, delayed administrative response and lenient legal outcomes have eroded student trust. IIT Bombay’s challenge now is to ensure this case doesn’t meet the same fate.
Community Reaction and Demands
Across social media platforms, IIT Bombay alumni and current students have voiced anger and disappointment. Several have called for a transparent investigation and public disclosure of security reforms. Many are asking the institute to publish a full timeline of events and share whether the seized recordings have been permanently deleted.
Some have even launched an online petition urging the Ministry of Education to mandate uniform safety guidelines for hostel facilities across all IITs.
What Happens Next
As of now, police have not confirmed whether additional suspects or accomplices are involved. Investigators are verifying the alumnus’s digital footprint and communication history to see if the videos were distributed or monetized.
If evidence of circulation is found, the charges could escalate to include sections of the IPC related to voyeurism (Section 354C), which carry stronger penalties, including imprisonment of up to seven years.
Meanwhile, students await a clear statement from the institute regarding whether the accused has been blacklisted from campus and whether his alumni privileges have been revoked.
Conclusion
The scandal at IIT Bombay serves as a stark reminder that even in the country’s top academic institutions, digital misuse and privacy violations can occur when oversight weakens. The incident underscores the need for stronger campus vigilance, swift administrative response, and legal reforms that reflect the realities of modern-day privacy breaches.
For now, IIT Bombay’s community is demanding two things — accountability and assurance. Accountability for how such an act was possible under existing systems, and assurance that every student, regardless of gender, will feel safe within the walls of their hostel.
Until both are delivered, the unsettling question remains: how secure are India’s campuses from those who exploit technology to invade private spaces?
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