Public transport must be safe and dignified, not a space of silent fear: Karnataka High Court

Public transport must remain “a place of safety and dignity, not one of silent fear and exploitation,” the Karnataka High Court said. The court made these observations in a recent order rejecting a petition filed by 28‑year‑old B.K. Diganth, who is accused of filming voyeuristic videos of women inside the Bengaluru metro and posting them on an anonymous Instagram page, @metro_chicks.

“…to interdict the criminal proceedings at this juncture would not merely truncate the course of justice, but may also embolden similar transgressions, thereby imperilling the safety and dignity of women in public places,” Justice M. Nagaprasanna said, pointing out that the contents of the charge sheet — which show that the petitioner’s mobile device contained further incriminating material of a similar nature — reinforce the allegations against him.