A 23-year-old employee of a popular coffee chain in Bengaluru was arrested after being caught hiding a mobile phone with the video recording function switched on in the women’s washroom. The incident took place at a Third Wave Coffee outlet on BEL Road, where the accused, identified as Manoj, had been employed for the past six months. Manoj, a resident of Bengaluru’s Guttahalli and originally from Shivamogga, concealed the phone inside a dustbin, placing it in flight mode to avoid detection.
The disturbing act came to light when a woman visiting the cafe discovered the phone hidden in the dustbin, with the camera positioned to capture footage for approximately two hours. The woman, who later shared the incident on her Instagram profile, ‘Gangs Of Cinepur,’ described how the phone was carefully placed inside the dustbin bag, with a hole made to expose the camera lens. She immediately alerted the staff, and the police were called to the scene.
The social media post quickly gained attention, as the woman recounted the shock and horror of finding the hidden camera in what should have been a private and secure space. “This was so horrific to witness. I will be vigilant at any washroom I use from now on, no matter how well-known the chain of cafes or restaurants is. I request all of you to do the same. This is disgusting,” she wrote in her post.
In response to the incident, Third Wave Coffee issued a statement expressing deep regret over the situation and confirmed that the employee involved had been immediately terminated. “We regret the unfortunate incident at our BEL Road outlet in Bengaluru and want to emphasize that such actions are absolutely unacceptable at Third Wave Coffee. We acted swiftly to address the situation by immediately terminating the person and ensuring the safety of our customers,” the company tweeted on Saturday.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised concerns about privacy and safety in public spaces, particularly in well-known establishments. The Bengaluru police are continuing their investigation into the matter, and the accused is expected to face charges related to the illegal recording and violation of privacy. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of safeguarding personal privacy, even in seemingly secure environments.
