A 23-year-old man employed at a popular coffee chain in Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly hiding a mobile phone with its video recording feature activated in a women’s washroom.
The incident took place at the Third Wave Coffee outlet on BEL Road, where the accused, identified as Manoj, had been working for a year. He is a resident of Bengaluru’s Guttahalli and originally from Shivamogga, Karnataka.
The incident has sparked outrage, with the woman who initially reported it urging others to remain vigilant when using washrooms, regardless of how reputable the establishment may be.
The situation came to light when a woman discovered the hidden phone in the washroom.
The phone had been placed inside a dustbin, with a hole cut in the bin bag to allow the camera to record. The device was in flight mode to avoid making any sounds, and it had been recording for about two hours, according to a social media post by a woman with the Instagram handle ‘Gangs Of Cinepur.’
The woman who found the phone immediately alerted the police, who responded promptly.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Shekhar HT confirmed that the phone was wrapped in tissue paper and has been seized for forensic examination to determine how many videos were recorded.
The accused claimed that it was the only video he recorded, yet the police plan to seize all his other electronic devices for further investigation.
In response to the incident, Third Wave Coffee issued has expressed deep regret on the incident and emphasised that such behaviour is ununacceptable.
The coffee chain was swift enough to terminate the employee involved in the incident, as an attempt to suggest that customer safety is its top-notch priority.
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