Churchgoers approach cops, seek action, CCTV case

Mangalore Today News Network

Sep 08, 2017: Further to our report yesterday,  parishioners filed a complaint with the Mahim police against the priest of St Michael’s Church, Mahim in a dispute over installation of a CCTV camera in the women’s washroom.

Lyn Fernandes and Karen D’Souza, who regularly visit this church famous in Mumbai, have sought charges under section 354 C (voyeurism), 354 D (stalking), and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code. Section 354 C covers the action of watching or capturing a woman’s image in a private act.

The complaint comes amid a heated debate in the community. Many, including parish priest Father Simon Borges, have said the camera was added in 2014 for women’s safety and to prevent thefts, and it does not face the toilet area. Rev  Borges told media the device would be removed if it was making women uncomfortable.

But many women have criticised the security feature, saying any form of surveillance inside the ladies’ restroom amounts to outraging a woman’s modesty.

Fernandes said she learned about the camera only 15 days ago. “We were shocked when the priest  announced after (Wednesday’s) morning mass that the camera was installed three years ago to prevent thefts and to maintain cleanliness as it (the washroom) had been renovated,” she said.

“The renovation took place last year. We learned about the camera only a fortnight ago after stickers informing people of CCTV surveillance were posted in the washroom.

Fernandes said the fact a camera was installed in 2014 without everyone’s knowledge was even more disturbing. “It means whenever we stood near the mirror to adjust our clothes, the camera was right above recording everything,” she alleged.

Mumbai Mirror made several attempts to contact Rev Borges, but he was unavailable. Messages circulated by some parishioners on social media said the camera was never pointed towards the toilet area.

The complainants have sought the disappearance of evidence charge because the mirror above which the camera was apparently affixed is no longer there. People who  visited the spot found an empty mirror slot in the washroom.

“This is tampering of evidence because the camera was right above the mirror,” said D’Souza, who lives in Marie Nagar Colony in Mahim.

Senior inspector Milind Idekar of the Mahim police station said the complainants’ statements had been recorded. “An FIR can be lodged only after the preliminary inquiry,” he said.  Meanwhile, the church has started a signature campaign to determine how many women parishioners support the security measure.

“I just signed because my family forced me to. I am not in favour of the camera as I feel uncomfortable to be under prying eyes. It should be outside the washroom,” said churchgoer Sandra Mendonza.

Philomena Fernandes said she signed the campaign paper without reading it carefully. But she added: “I don’t think it is right to have a camera inside the washroom.”Rev Nigel Barret, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said they had not received the complaint yet. “I am not sure if the parish priest has received the complaint. I am not aware of the police complaint either,” he said.

Courtesy: mumbaimirror