College Of Engineering Pune: Concerns over privacy breach in girls’ hostel; internal investigation initiated 

COEP (College of Engineering Pune) University in Pune faced criticism after a student’s social media post on Sunday evening. The post highlighted the sharing of personal photos and videos of some girls’ hostel residents without their consent. In response, the university formed a committee on Monday morning to probe the matter.

Bringing attention to the issue, a student took to the social media platform X on May 5 to disclose the incident. The post stated, “A disturbing incident involving a female student from the prestigious COEP University in Pune sharing photos and videos of other female hostel residents has emerged. Even more alarming is the university’s failure to file a police complaint, raising serious concerns about the safety of students in the COEP girls’ hostel.”

According to several hostel residents, on the night of May 1, some residents confronted a girl suspected of clandestinely capturing photos and videos. They discovered over 900 images and videos on the student’s phone, which had been shared with another individual via WhatsApp. The incident caused commotion and anxiety among hostel residents, particularly roommates and friends of the student, about the content’s nature.

This matter was brought to the attention of the chief rector on May 3, and the accused student was expelled from the hostel

Despite assurances from authorities, students are growing increasingly impatient. The delay in filing a police complaint remains a primary concern, with many fearing the college may handle the matter internally to suppress it.

In response, the college administration has filed a police complaint against the accused female student. In a press release issued on Tuesday evening, COEP Tech University stated, “COEP Tech University has initiated an inquiry by forming an internal inquiry committee and has also lodged a police complaint following a complaint received from some girl students residing at the university’s hostel campus. The girls made an official complaint against one of their roommates who was allegedly clicking photos of the girls without their knowledge and sharing them with someone else outside the university premises.”

“COEP Tech University is committed to fostering an environment of safety, respect, and integrity for all the members of its community. In line with this approach, COEP has taken strong action and has lodged a police complaint. Considering the gravity of the complaint made by the girl students staying at the hostel, a high-level internal inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate this incident,” the statement added.