Three students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), were arrested on October 17, 2025, for allegedly secretly recording female peers changing clothes during preparations for a cultural event at Bhanpura Government College. The incident, captured on CCTV footage, has sparked outrage over privacy violations and safety concerns on educational campuses, prompting swift action from authorities and the organisation. The arrests highlight persistent challenges in ensuring secure environments for women in India's higher education institutions, where such voyeuristic crimes have surged amid widespread smartphone access.

The episode unfolded on Tuesday during a youth festival at the college, where the accused—identified as Umesh Joshi (22), Ajay Gaud (20), and Himanshu Bairagi (21)—allegedly infiltrated the women's changing rooms. Police reports detail how the group, along with a fourth unidentified accomplice who remains at large, used innovative but brazen methods to capture footage, including one standing on another's shoulders to peer through windows.

Acting Principal Dr Preeti Pancholi spotted suspicious movements and reviewed CCTV recordings, which clearly showed four individuals loitering and filming. She promptly lodged a complaint, leading to a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including voyeurism (Section 354C) and criminal trespass (Section 447). Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Vinod Meena confirmed the seizure of the suspects' mobile phones for forensic analysis, stating, "The footage unequivocally shows the boys peeping and recording."

In response, ABVP swiftly distanced itself from Joshi, its City Secretary, by relieving him of his duties with immediate effect, signalling an internal crackdown amid potential reputational damage. The organisation, known for its active role in student politics and advocacy for Hindu cultural issues, has faced scrutiny in the past for unrelated controversies, but this case underscores the need for stricter ethical oversight within youth outfits. Bhanpura Inspector Ramesh Chandra Dangi noted that while the accused deny the charges, preliminary investigations have not yet uncovered actual videos, though legal proceedings continue. The suspects were produced in court and remanded for further questioning, with police vowing a thorough probe to identify the fugitive and prevent recurrence.

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This scandal arrives against a backdrop of rising incidents of digital harassment in Indian colleges, with National Crime Records Bureau data indicating a 25% uptick in voyeurism cases from 2020 to 2024, often linked to cultural events where crowds provide cover. Advocacy groups like the All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) have demanded enhanced security measures, including gender-segregated facilities with tamper-proof surveillance and awareness programmes on cyber laws.

As the college community grapples with the fallout—potentially disrupting ongoing festivals—the case serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between technology, gender vulnerability, and institutional responsibility. Authorities anticipate forensic results within days, which could strengthen the prosecution and deter similar offences in Madhya Pradesh's rural educational hubs.

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