Are the hotels and restaurants of Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun not safe for women? Actually, a serious case of making a video with a spy camera in the ladies washroom of a famous restaurant of the city has come to light. In this case, a woman lawyer has accused the restaurant that a hidden camera was installed in the washroom, which was recording the video. After this, the matter reached the police and an arrest was made.
Complainant advocate Khushboo Nigam said, she had come to have dinner with 11 members of her family at the famous Anandam restaurant located on Chakrata Road in Dehradun on Thursday night at 9:00 pm. When she went to the washroom at around 9:30 pm, she saw that a camera was hidden in the false ceiling. She immediately informed the restaurant management about this. During this, she also took a picture of the camera, so that it could not be denied later.
Khushboo said, “The management did not even listen to us and tried to cover up the matter. We called the police on 1090 and 112 and the police arrived at the spot at around 1:30. After this, the owner also reached there, who did not listen to us and it seemed from his behavior that this incident was being taken very lightly. The CCTV cameras in the restaurant are also not working, which is a big question mark on our safety.”
Complainant’s relative Paras Sharma said in this case, “When we talked to the restaurant owner about this matter, he tried to suppress the matter and said that we will hand over the cleaning staff to you and you can do whatever you want.
Sharma also said, “The CCTV cameras in the restaurant were not working, due to which it was difficult to find out who was coming and going in the washroom. We were accused of doing all this on the pretext of not paying the bill. On the other hand, calls were also made to 1090 and 112, but the police response was very late. And it is being said that there was a mobile phone in the washroom, while anyone can say that it is a camera device.”
Paras Sharma further said, “When we strictly questioned the cleaning staff and checked his mobile, there was nothing in the gallery of the mobile.”
Jhoomar, a resident of Kanpur, had also come to Anandam restaurant for dinner with her family on Thursday. She told aajtak, “On Thursday night around 9:00 pm, we had come with our family and our daughters and other women of the family had also gone to the washroom. When they saw the camera there, everyone was shocked. We and other people present there also complained about this to the manager. The restaurant management did not listen to us and when we called, the police came very late and instead of investigating, they took us to the police station saying that we will talk there.
Restaurant owner Anand Gupta said that he got information about the incident at 9:50 pm and somehow he reached the restaurant at 10:45 pm. He is very ashamed of this incident and will also get all the staff verified. He told that he is a 72-year-old senior citizen and recently he has also got a stent installed in his heart.
Anand Gupta said, “CCTV cameras were not working in the restaurant, and the contract was given to SIS Security. The agency delayed due to rain and Kanwar Yatra and the cameras are being repaired. Cleaning staff was hired from a different company called Daksh. There was no hole in the washroom till Thursday morning. How did this happen suddenly? They have no idea. Gupta further said that many of our generations have been doing this business for many years. We know how to follow the rules.”
What are the safety rules in restaurants?
Let us tell you that according to the FSSAI 2018 rules, one month’s recording of CCTV cameras should be available at all times. Installing CCTV is necessary. Also, checking of washrooms and kitchens is also necessary from security point of view. The food department can take action against those who do not follow these rules as per the relevant sections.
The accused was arrested by the police: SSP
SSP Dehradun Ajay Singh said, “The accused sweeper has been arrested in this case. During interrogation, the accused Vinod Mandal told the police that a month ago a rat had died in the false ceiling of the washroom. A hole was made to clean it. Using this hole, the employee hid the mobile there.
According to the SSP, there was no camera device installed in the washroom, but there was a mobile phone. So far no camera device has been found in the investigation. The FSL team has investigated the spot and further action will be taken after receiving the report.
Verification should be done in all restaurants and hotels of the capital: Women Commission Chairperson
Uttarakhand Women Commission Chairperson Kusum Kandwal inspected the spot and said, “I have demanded strict action from the District Magistrate and the administration in this matter. Verification should be done in all the hotels and restaurants of the capital and it should be ensured that CCTV cameras are working there and there is no lack of security in the women’s washroom.”
Dehradun unsafe for women?
One person has been arrested in this entire case. Initially, the negligence of the restaurant owner is also coming to the fore. Both the complainant and the Women’s Commission have demanded an investigation. After this incident, the question arises that how safe are women in the restaurants and hotels of Dehradun? In 2022, the Ankita Bhandari murder case shook the whole country, after which many promises were made regarding women’s safety. How many of those promises have been fulfilled today? This is a matter of investigation.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)