Alex Murur

A woman has filed a police complaint alleging that a fellow passenger secretly recorded her while travelling on Namma Metro near Whitefield on Tuesday, October 27. Bengaluru City Police have confirmed that an FIR has been registered and an investigation is underway. The woman, identified on Instagram as Sowpika, shared videos of the confrontation on social media, drawing attention to passenger privacy and women's safety on public transport. According to her account, the incident occurred at around 4.30 p.m. near the Whitefield–Kadugodi area. She allegedly noticed a man recording her without her consent and confronted him, repeatedly asking why he was filming her. Videos shared online show Sowpika asking the man to unlock his phone and show its contents. She also expressed frustration over the alleged recording and clarified that her clothing was not a justification for such behaviour. Sowpika said she sought assistance from Metro security personnel and attempted to prevent the man from leaving before the matter was addressed. According to her account, she managed to get hold of his phone and handed it to security staff during the confrontation. However, the man allegedly retrieved the phone and fled before the issue could be resolved. He reportedly apologised during the exchange but did not admit to the alleged recording. Following the incident, Sowpika said she approached Metro station authorities and lodged a complaint. She initially stated that she had been told the matter would be followed up within seven days. After videos of the confrontation circulated online, Bengaluru City Police asked her to share the location and her contact details. She later visited Kadugodi Police Station, where an FIR was registered. In a subsequent social media update, Sowpika thanked the police for their response. She also said investigators had identified a few individuals who resembled the man seen in the footage, although his identity had not been conclusively established in the reports available at the time. The police are investigating the complaint to establish the circumstances of the incident and identify the person involved. The registration of an FIR does not establish the allegations as proven, and further details are awaited. The incident has renewed discussion about privacy, women's safety and the handling of complaints on public transport. It has also highlighted the importance of accessible reporting channels and prompt assistance when commuters raise concerns about alleged harassment. Police have yet to establish the full sequence of events, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged recording and the man's departure from the scene. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.