Gorakhpur: An FIR has been registered against the warden of a girls’ hostel in Mohaddipur for allegedly placing a mobile phone in a bathroom to record videos of residents, with the device allegedly containing footage of five to six girls.According to police, a Samsung Android phone with its camera switched on was found concealed in a tin shed inside the bathroom, allegedly facing the toilet area. Students claimed that several videos of girls using the washroom were stored on the device, and some clips later circulated on social media.During questioning, the warden, identified as Aarti Singh, told police that she had kept her phone in recording mode around 10 pm to identify students allegedly disposing of sanitary pads improperly in the washroom. She denied any malicious intent.SP City Nimish Patil said an FIR was registered at Cantt police station on Wednesday evening based on a written complaint submitted by hostel residents. The complaint accuses the warden of violating the students’ privacy by recording them while bathing and using the washroom.The hostel houses 26 girls in 20 rooms, most of whom are college students or preparing for competitive examinations. Police said a newly admitted student noticed the phone in the bathroom on the night of September 8 and alerted other residents after recording a video of the device.Students alleged that the phone contained footage of five to six girls and that the recording had continued for nearly three hours. The discovery triggered protests inside the hostel, prompting police intervention.Police seized the mobile phone and are examining its contents. SP City Patil said further action will be taken on the basis of evidence collected during the investigation.
