A 25-year-old hotel employee in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya has been arrested for allegedly filming a woman while she was bathing in a guest house near the Ram temple.
However, the police, on examining his mobile phone, found several objectionable videos of other female guests in similar situations, officials told PTI.
Saurabh Tiwari, a resident of Bahraich district, was nabbed by hotel guests at Raja Guest House, located barely 50 metres from Gate No. 3 of the Ram temple.
According to the report, the incident occurred around 6 am, when a female devotee from Varanasi noticed a shadow and spotted someone filming her from above through the tin shed roof while she was bathing.
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“She panicked, shouted for help and rushed out of the bathroom. Other male guests staying at the hotel heard her cries, rushed to the scene and managed to catch the accused. He was then handed over to the Ram Janmabhoomi police,” an official told PTI.
Upon inspection of the accused's phone, the police said they were shocked to find "several videos" of women in similar situations.
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Upon inspection of the accused's phone, the police said they were shocked to find "several videos" of women in similar situations.
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According to the complainant, the woman arrived from Varanasi along with four others on Thursday to visit the Ram temple and had taken two rooms at the guest house for the night.
Circle Officer (Ayodhya) Ashutosh Tiwari confirmed the arrest.
"This is a very serious matter. The accused was taken into custody as soon as the information was received. A case has been registered and a detailed investigation is underway," he said, adding that the hotel premises are also being closely examined.
Ayodhya Development Authority seals guest house
In a parallel development, the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA) has sealed the guest house, citing illegal construction.
ADA secretary Satyendra Singh said, "The Raja Guest House was constructed without any approval from the authority and has, therefore, been sealed."
The police said they are continuing to investigate whether more such incidents occurred at the same establishment and if the videos were shared or distributed further.
(With PTI inputs)