There are few lovers in the city who have not stolen some private moments at a park or by the sea or lake at one point or another.

But can you imagine the horror if one day you wake up and discover that not only was someone filming you the entire time, but the voyeur even uploaded the video to a porn site? The police are dealing with exactly such a case, with a video circulating of a young couple at Powai lake, reports the Mid-Day.

On Tuesday, the Powai police received a written complaint about a voyeuristic video of a young couple enjoying a few intimate moments at Powai lake.

The video was uploaded to a popular pornographic website and is also circulating on social media. The complaint was submitted by Virendra Dhiwar, an activist from the organisation Youth Power.

‘An unknown person or a group is actively involved in the shameful act of making such videos and circulating it on social media and porn websites. Such acts will not only dishonour families, but also affect society at large,’ said Virendra.

Stop the couples
Virendra added that this isn’t the first time that Peeping Toms have captured and published such videos online. There are several videos of unsuspecting couples on YouTube and other websites.

The activist said that they had written to the Powai police to request them to stop couples from visiting Powai Lake, so that they are not victimised in this manner.

The organisation has also demanded that the authorities install CCTV cameras at the spot, and post police personnel or security guards to keep watch.

Residents unhappy
This case has stirred a hornet’s nest among local residents, who resent the presence of the couples in their neighbourhood. Powai Lake is a popular haunt for couples in the city, particularly since the BMC completed its beautification project, building jogging tracks for senior citizens and play areas for children.

The civic authorities also provided seating arrangements for visitors, but these have been take over by couples, said locals. The residents alleged that couples often engage in very public display of affection, embarrassing anyone passing by, which is why many avoid the area altogether.

‘We have made a series of complaints to the local police to increase patrolling in the evening, but there has been no response. Also there is an urgent requirement for CCTV cameras at the spot. We also requested that some guards be posted along this stretch,’ said one of the residents.

The residents allege that this is an ideal case to make couples understand that their actions in public have consequences. Such videos can lead to other kinds of crime in the area as well, said another resident.

It is better that the police act promptly after this incident and ensure that the safety of these couples as well as the locals,’ the resident added. DCP N D Reddy told this paper, ‘We have received a complaint from Youth Power organisation. We will examine the facts and take action accordingly.’

Citizens feel strongly about it

Saniya Sayyed, 24, Jogeshwari
’Action should be taken against people who have the audacity to shoot such intimate moments of couples. If couples are found to engage in such obscene acts in public, action should be taken against them too’

Rajesh Yadav, 26, Thane
’One cannot stop people from sitting in a public park. Holding hands or hugging is not obscene. But if anything beyond that is bad, and it is worse if anyone films that’

Anita Bansode, 32, Powai
’We have stopped taking our children to Powai Lake because of such obscenity by couples. We cannot do moral policing, but this situation is damaging society. The police should do something to help us and the couples.’

In January 2013, Noida Cyber Cell arrested two porn website operators for allegedly uploading a couple’s sexually explicit video on the website.