Man Arrested in Azamgarh for Secretly Recording Women at Hostel

A disturbing case of voyeurism has come to light in Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh district, where Himanshu Rai, a resident of Heerapatti colony, was arrested for secretly recording bathing videos of women at a girls’ hostel. The accused, who lived in the same hostel building with his family, had been illicitly filming female students for over a year, police reported.

The incident came to public attention on Sunday, August 24, when a vigilant Class 10 student noticed a mobile phone camera positioned on the semi-covered roof of the hostel’s bathroom. Her quick response in raising an alarm alerted other residents, who apprehended Rai before he could flee. According to police, Rai not only recorded the videos but also allegedly threatened the victims, warning that he would leak the footage online if they reported him.

A search of Rai’s mobile phone and laptop uncovered approximately 40 pornographic videos, confirming the extent of his activities. “The accused was caught red-handed by the students. We have recovered several incriminating videos from his devices, which have been sent for forensic examination,” said Superintendent of Police, Azamgarh, Anurag Arya. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voyeurism and criminal intimidation, with further charges possible pending the forensic report.

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This incident adds to a troubling pattern of similar crimes in Uttar Pradesh. In April 2025, a man was detained in Ayodhya for filming a woman bathing in a guest house, with multiple obscene videos found on his phone. Earlier this year, Gujarat police arrested individuals for sharing videos of women bathing during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, highlighting the misuse of technology for such offenses. Authorities are now investigating whether Rai shared or sold the videos, as seen in other cases where perpetrators monetized explicit content via platforms like Telegram.

The hostel management has faced scrutiny for lapses in security, prompting calls for stricter oversight. Local residents and students have demanded swift justice and enhanced safety measures to prevent such violations in the future. The investigation continues as police probe Rai’s motives and potential accomplices.

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